Updated: August 26, 2019
Originally Published: February 25, 2015
If you leave your cycling class with a buzzing sensation in your ears, you’re certainly not the only one. A report from the Washington Post highlighted a study conducted by Australia’s National Acoustic Laboratories, which analyzed sound levels in fitness classes between 2009 and 2011 and compared them to data from 1997 to 1998. The findings revealed that the volume in these classes has been steadily increasing, reaching levels as high as 99 decibels.
According to Dr. Samuel Baker, an audiology expert at the University of Northern Colorado and co-director of the Dangerous Decibels initiative aimed at combating noise-induced hearing loss, adults can safely endure exposure to 85 decibels for up to eight hours and 94 decibels for one hour. For context, a typical conversation sits at around 65 decibels. Dr. Baker advocates for reducing the sound levels in fitness environments to a safer 85 decibels. In the meantime, if you feel as though the music in your workout class is damaging your hearing, consider using earplugs.
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In summary, it’s becoming increasingly common for gym-goers to experience discomfort from excessively loud music. If you’re one of those affected, earplugs might be a simple solution to protect your hearing while still enjoying your workout.