Are fitness instructors at risk of hearing impairment?

Abstract

The entertainment industry can pose a risk of hearing impairment to employees. The aim of the study is to assess whether occupational exposure to loud sounds (music) is related to temporary hearing threshold shifts in fitness instructors. The study comprised a total of 29 fitness instructors working in fitness clubs. The noise dosimeters were used to determine individual noise exposure during typical 1-2 hours exercises conducting by the instructors. Pure-tone audiometry and Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) were performed before and just after the session to assess temporary changes in hearing. The A-weighted equivalent-continuous sound pressure level (LAeq,T) during typical exercises session ranged from 76.3 to 96 dB. Referring to the 3-dB equal energy rule, such exposures may exceed the upper exposure action value (85 dB) set for the occupational settings by the Directive 2003/10/EC. A significant temporary threshold shift (at least 6 dB) was observed in 33 audiograms (40 %). No impairment of speech understanding was observed in the HINT. Fitness instructors may constitute a population at increased risk of hearing impairment. Further studies are needed to conclude on hearing protection programs in this group of workers.