Could an Exercise Program Cause Hearing Loss?

By Hearing Professionals

Exercise is good for your overall health, in fact getting your heart rate up and increased blood flow to the brain could improve auditory attention and the ability to process the sound we hear.

However, gyms and exercise classes can be deafening. Popular programs like Zumba, Crossfit and spinning typically go hand-in-hand with boisterous, pounding music. And, although you may adapt to the loud music in your gym or exercise class, your ears don't.

George Mason University researchers found that spinning classes are among the worst offenders when it comes to blaring music at 100-110 decibels. Typical decibel levels in aerobics and Zumba classes are over 90 decibels.

The ever-popular Crossfit program can lead to hearing loss in several ways. The banging of weights, dropping of heavy objects and flipping tires creates sounds with intense shock waves that mimic explosions. Particularly during weightlifting, a participant strains causing pressure within the ears. And, when the participant holds his or her breath while lifting, more pressure is created in the inner ear. All that pressure may result in a small tear or defect in the thin membrane between the inner ear and middle ear (not to be confused with the eardrum) and fluid is transferred into the middle ear, causing hearing loss.

The good news is all of this damage to your hearing is preventable.

First, check to see if the music in your gym or exercise class is too loud. If you have to ask, it probably is. If you have to shout to be heard, it's too loud. If you can hardly hear yourself think, it's too loud. There are apps you can download on your smartphone to read the decibel levels anything above 85 decibels requires hearing protection. If the music is too loud, speak with your gym managers and instructors to see if it can be lowered to a safer volume. If lowering the volume isn't an option, wear earplugs and keep the volume on your headphones at a reasonable level. Additionally, when weightlifting, reduce the weight you're lifting so as not to strain and cause pressure to build in your ears.

If you'd like to know what your hearing capabilities are or if you suspect you have hearing loss, call your local audiologist to schedule a full hearing evaluation. Symptoms such as aural fullness, muffled hearing or dizziness after an intense workout are not normal contact your doctor and your audiologist.