Is there any better feeling than wrapping up a workout at Skill of Strength? While there’s no doubt exercise is great for your body and mind, if you’re not careful, your routine could be harming your hearing. We review how this happens and how to keep your ears safe below.
Heavy Lifting
When exerting yourself during a weightlifting workout, you can create pressure within the brain, which in turn leads to pressure within the ears, especially if you’re holding your breath. This increased pressure during an intense workout can lead to a small tear in the membrane between the middle and inner ear known as a perilymph fistula. This can cause symptoms such as ear fullness, tinnitus, dizziness and hearing sensitivity.
To prevent a tear and this feeling of pressure, clear your ears before you lift by yawning or swallowing, don’t lift too heavy and make sure to breathe. Avoid working out when sick.
Smashing Weights
Another danger to your hearing the weight room poses is the sound of smashing weights, which in close range can be like being exposed to a shotgun blast or an airbag deploying.
Make sure you lift weights over padded flooring and try to avoid smashing your weights. Also try to keep your distance from other lifters.
Workout Classes
Maybe instead of lifting weights you prefer to take spin class or Zumba. Unfortunately, many instructors crank up the volume on the music to 90-100 dB – well past the range that is considered safe. This music combined with other gym noises poses a risk to your hearing and may even cause noise-induced hearing loss.
If you leave your class with a ringing in your ears or muffled hearing, this is a sign the music is too loud. If it is, you can talk to the instructor to ask them to turn down the music, or you can bring earplugs to wear to class. For more information about how to work out in a way that is safe for your ears or to schedule an appointment for custom hearing protection, call the experts at Chelmsford Hearing Group today.
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