Q&A: Counseling Patients on Hearing Loss Risks in Group Fitness Classes

A new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery has found that loud music in group fitness classes can reach 108 dBA, which is equivalent to attending a rock concert and well beyond recommended sound levels. Such noise exposure greatly increases risk of hearing loss for both instructors and class participants....

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Audiologists should routinely ask active patients about group fitness class attendance and counsel them on using hearing protection (e.g., musician's earplugs) and limiting exposure duration, consistent with the study's guidance.

Group fitness classes represent an underrecognized and widespread source of recreational noise exposure that audiologists are well-positioned to address during routine counseling.

1. 01Music in group fitness classes can reach 108 dBA, comparable to a rock concert.
2. 02JAMA Otolaryngology study links fitness class noise to significant hearing loss risk.
3. 03Audiologists are encouraged to add fitness class noise exposure to standard counseling checklists.
4. 04Repeated exposure at these levels can cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss.
5. 05Hearing protection options (e.g., filtered earplugs) are a practical mitigation strategy for active patients.

Journal

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Group fitness class environments measured for noise exposure levels

Intervention

Measurement of sound pressure levels (dBA) during group fitness classes