Pumping iron while protecting hearing, Part 2

There is no significant difference between the types of music people choose to use while they exercise. From the soothing sounds of Celtic music to the heaviest of heavy metal, volume is often the great motivator to keep the whole body engaged in exercise and the mind distracted from a dull activity. People who walk to exercise often use different types of music to vary the rhythm of their walking for more beneficial cardiovascular exercise. Those exercising, who are bombarded by external and internal sounds that tend to distract, have been found to listen to their music at nearly 75% of top volume. That is well past the safe volume of hearing recommended by hearing professionals.

Most people assume that because they are young and their hearing is in good condition now, that nothing will change as they grow older. Unfortunately, continuous exposure to loud noise, including top volume music poured directly into the ear canal, is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Hearing loss may occur gradually, over long periods of time, so as it not noticeable until it begins to affect everyday life. Prevention is simple – use better quality headphones that cover the ear when exercising. If sweating is a deterrent for wearing over-the-ear headphones, there are companies who manufacture custom-fit ear buds that block out background noise and allow music to be heard at a lower volume. Protecting your hearing may have a small price in the beginning, but is priceless in the end.

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