A Possible Link Between Exercise and Reduced Risk for Hearing Loss

By now, you likely know that exercise has great benefits for a variety of physical and mental health issues. Regular exercise—even low to moderate levels of exercise, such as taking a walk every evening—can reduce the risk of heart disease, stave off some forms of depression, and help maintain a healthy weight. Ultimately, exercise boosts your mood, improves your energy, and also helps you get better sleep. Recent research suggests that exercise can also have a positive impact on your hearing health.

The Link Between Exercise & Hearing Loss

A 2016 study in the Journal of Neuroscience conducted safe experiments on mice to determine the different hearing capabilities of mice who were primarily sedentary and those that exercised. The results showed that the hearing structures of sedentary mice were negatively affected, leading to significant hearing loss over their lifetime. In contrast, the mice who exercised experienced just 5% hearing loss, with 95% of them maintaining active hearing.

The study suggests that exercise may reduce potential damage to hearing structures by diminishing the effects of inflammation that accompanies aging. Another study by researchers at The Johns Hopkins University found that seniors who exercised regularly maintained healthier hearing habits compared to those who did not exercise.

Healthy Hearing Habits During Exercise

When exercising, it's important to practice healthy hearing habits. There is a link between loss of hearing and headphone styles, so be sure to use over-the-ear headphones while working out to avoid noise-induced hearing loss. Regardless of the headphone style, listen at maximum 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

For fitness classes with loud music, bring earplugs to protect your hearing, and take short breaks from loud music if possible. Be aware of temporary hearing loss during exercise, which can sometimes result from an imbalance in pressure in your inner ear or strenuous exercise causing a membrane rupture.

Incorporating exercise into your healthy hearing habits is rewarding, but always ensure you're using proper techniques to avoid temporary and sudden hearing loss.

Visit Us at Hearing Consultants

In addition to incorporating an exercise regimen, remember to schedule an annual hearing test. To schedule a test and consultation, contact us at Hearing Consultants today.