The answer is it's definitely possible depending on the class. Exercise classes, such as spin and aerobic, can pump music at levels dangerous to your hearing health. 

While music can be a powerful motivator—as you start to lose steam, the music swells and you feel energized to push through the last little bit of your workout. Many exercise classes, including spin classes and aerobic classes, use music as a motivator in much the same way.  But researchers from Harvard have found that these classes are consistently above the level considered safe for hearing.

This research found that the average amount of noise endured during the average 45-minute fitness class exceeds the recommended amount of noise for an 8-hour workday by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Especially for those who attend multiple classes in a week, there is a risk of hearing loss due to all of the noise exposure. The average noise level in the spin classes studied was 113 dbA, and those classes lasted 45 minutes each. For comparison, NIOSH recommends no more than 15 minutes of exposure to 100dbA per day.

So what can you do if you attend these classes? Experts suggest 3 possible options: Ask that the music be turned down, wear hearing protection (such as earplugs), or stop going to these loud classes altogether. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to keep up with your hearing health. To have your hearing checked, please contact Sound Hearing Care for an appointment today. With 4 convenient hearing treatment locations including Simpsonville, Greer, Travelers Rest, and Greenville, Sound Hearing Care is sure to have a convenient location near you or your loved one!