Aerobics becomes an at-risk activity for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) when high
intensity music is played in its classes. Attempts to reduce this risk through hearing
conservation have generally failed, possibly because participants find the high intensity
music enjoyable and motivating, and therefore not "too loud". To investigate this
further, the median noise (music) intensities in four high impact aerobics classes
were fixed at 80, 85, 89 and 97 dB(A), rated as very low, low, at and high-risk for
temporary threshold shift (TIS) and NIHL respectively, and participant (n=236) responses
were measured via a post-class questionnaire. The results showed noise (music) intensity
was related to perceived music loudness, enjoyment and motivation to work (p<0.001).
Also, perceived music loudness, enjoyment and motivation to work were related to each
other (p<0.001), but not to previous knowledge that exposure to loud sounds can permanently
damage hearing (p>0.05). These results, and their implications on hearing conservation
in aerobics, were discussed.
Key Words
Aerobics - recreational noise-induced hearing loss - hearing conservation
