A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that nearly half of all adults in the United States get the recommended amount of physical activity. From yoga to running to strength training, swimming, and more, physical activity is an important part of overall health and well-being.
For many, music is as integral to physical activity as the proper gear. Music can help keep pace or push for one more rep. It can provide drive or distraction to tackle one more mile. Music can create an immersive, calming experience through a cooldown or yoga flow. When incorporating music into a regular routine, we can take steps to keep our ears as healthy as our bodies.
Group fitness, like spin and aerobic classes, can provide a high-intensity, community-based environment that pushes everyone in the room to their physical limits. These types of classes often use loud music to engage the crowd, which can easily exceed safe listening levels. Depending on the class, average sound levels can exceed 100 to 110 decibels, at which damage to hearing can occur. Consider using earplugs or selecting a spot in the room away from speakers.
For those in the zone of their own playlist, take steps to control the volume and give your ears the same care as the workout. When considering types of headphones or earbuds, there are a few tips to support healthy listening. First, keep volume levels at no more than 60 percent of maximum and take listening breaks. Second, over-ear headphones can help block out background noise and reduce the need to turn up the volume. Some options also avoid streaming sound directly into the ear canal by using bone conduction or air conduction.
Today’s hearing aids are also built for action. Built to resist dust, sweat, and moisture, hearing aids can handle a workout and, with Bluetooth streaming, serve in place of headphones or earbuds.
To keep ears healthy and avoid infection or earwax buildup, be sure to wipe down and dry headphones, earbuds, and hearing aids after a workout. For routine cleaning instructions to support the functionality and lifespan of your hearing aids, check the guidance in your hearing aids manual.
While music can propel a workout, consider taking a break altogether and heading out with nothing but the sound of the birds and the rhythmic sound of your own breathing. On a race day, the sound of a cheering crowd can motivate. When paddleboarding down a river, hear the calming, smooth glide of the paddle cutting through the water. And for any activity, keeping ears open and listening can help keep you safe, whether crossing the street or walking through the gym.
Noise-induced hearing loss is the only completely preventable form of hearing loss. As you make your body stronger, be sure to protect your hearing health. If difficulty hearing has made you miss out on activities that you once loved, or if you have questions about how best to protect your hearing, check in with a nearby licensed hearing care professional.
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