Watching the Australian Open? How to Enjoy Big Sporting Events Comfortably

Watching the Australian Open? How to Enjoy Big Sporting Events Comfortably

January means tennis season in Australia. Whether you’re heading to Melbourne Park, watching from a lively fan zone or catching matches with friends at your local pub, the atmosphere around big sporting events can be energetic and loud. Crowds, commentary, music, and announcements all add to the atmosphere, but they may also feel overwhelming if you prefer quiet settings or have hearing loss. 

The good news is there are simple ways to stay comfortable and enjoy every moment of the Australian Open, no matter how you choose to watch.

Prepare For Busy, High-Energy Environments

Big events come with big sound. Planning ahead can help you feel more at ease throughout the day.

You may find it helpful to:

• Arrive a little early so you can choose a comfortable spot before the crowds build.
• Bring a small bag with anything you may need, such as sunglasses or a water bottle, to avoid moving through noisy areas repeatedly.
• Step into quieter spaces between sets or matches to reset and reduce listening effort.¹
• Notice when the environment feels tiring and take short pauses to recharge.²

These habits may help you stay present and enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace.

Find A Comfortable Spot At Stadiums And Fan Zones

Where you sit or stand can make a meaningful difference to your experience of the Australian Open.

For those watching in the stadium or fan zones, consider choosing:

• Seats further from speakers or amplified commentary.
• Spots with a clear view of the screen or court so visual cues support your understanding.³
• Areas with fewer reflective surfaces, which may reduce echo.⁴
• Choosing seats in less crowded areas of the stadium where crowd noise may feel more manageable.

These small adjustments can make long sessions more enjoyable, especially during afternoon and evening matches.

Make Pub And Social Viewing More Comfortable

Pubs and social venues often have lively crowds, background chatter and multiple screens to catch the action on the court. Even so, it’s possible to stay comfortable with some small adjustments. 

If watching from a pub or social venue, consider:

• Picking a table away from large speakers or busy walkways.
• Choosing earlier sessions when pubs may be calmer or less busy.
• Positioning yourself so you’re facing your friends, as this can help conversations feel easier to follow.
• Stepping outside for short breaks if you feel tired or overwhelmed by the noise.

These small choices may help reduce background noise, support clearer conversations and make watching the tennis feel more comfortable. 

If Watching At Home, Use Comfortable Volume Habits

Watching the Australian Open at home is no less exciting than seeing the players courtside. Home viewing also gives you more control over your sound environment, which can make for a more comfortable viewing experience. 

You may find it helpful to: 

• Keep device volume at a moderate level.
• Use captions to follow commentary without increasing volume.
• Take brief breaks between matches to prevent listening fatigue.
• If available to you, connect your hearing aids directly to your TV so sound is delivered clearly without increasing overall volume.

These approaches can help make extended home viewing more comfortable and allow you to enjoy the tournament with less listening effort.

Make The Most Of Your Hearing Aids

If you wear hearing aids, certain features can support you in loud or changing environments.

Helpful features include:

• Background noise management.
• Directional microphones.
• Automatic environment adjustments.

Your hearing care professional can help you understand and optimise these features for sporting events.

If you’ve found yourself working harder to follow the action at sporting events, a hearing check may be a helpful next step. It can provide clarity, peace of mind and guidance on what may support you in busy, energetic settings. Book an appointment at your local Connect Hearing clinic today. Our team of experts will help you find solutions that fit your needs, so you can enjoy any sporting event. 

1. Trends in Hearing (4 June 2023), Listening Effort in Quiet and Noisy Environments in the Daily Life of Adults with Hearing Aids: An Extended Version of the Effort Assessment Scale (EEAS), National Library of Medicine, accessed 5 December 2025. 
2. International Journal of Audiology (28 April 2019), Hearing impairment and daily-life fatigue: a qualitative study, National Library of Medicine, accessed 5 December 2025. 
3. Audiology Research (13 January 2025), Visual Reliance in Severe Hearing Loss: Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs) Study, National Library of Medicine, accessed 5 December 2025. 
4. BBC (n.d.), Echoes and sonar - CCEA: Reflection of sound waves, www.bbc.co.uk, accessed 5 December 2025.