Effects of simultaneous exercise and loud music on hearing acuity and auditory function

Hearing acuity can be reduced temporarily after exposure to loud noise, and the physiological responses that occur with exercise may enhance this effect. Currently, it is not known whether short-term reductions in hearing acuity after noise exposure and exercise are a result of temporary changes in auditory function. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of simultaneous exercise and loud music on hearing acuity and auditory function in young, healthy women. Nine women (age = 22 +/- 5 years, body mass index = 23.9 +/- 2.2, Vo(2)peak = 30.6 +/- 6.0 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) with normal hearing thresholds (<20 dB hearing level) underwent each of 3 conditions in a randomized counterbalanced design: (a) loud music exposure of 90 to 95 dB sound pressure level for 20 minutes, (b) exercise at 60% Vo(2)peak on a cycle ergometer for 20 minutes, and (c) simultaneous exercise and music exposure for 20 minutes. Hearing acuity and auditory function were assessed via pure-tone hearing thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes, respectively, at frequencies of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz presented in random order before and after each condition. Results indicate that hearing acuity and auditory function remained unaltered after exposure to each condition (p > 0.05). These findings provide evidence that hearing acuity and auditory function in young women do not change after short-term exposure to moderate-intensity exercise and loud music. Thus, listening to loud music with earphones during moderate-intensity exercise does not pose acute hearing health concerns for young physically fit adults with normal hearing.