Health
Fitness class too loud? What to know about protecting your hearing health
Your favorite cycling or dance class is a great way to burn calories and boost heart health — but it might not be so good for your ears.
Some audiology experts are warning that the loud volume of group fitness classes — from the blaring music to the instructor shouting directions — can take a toll on your hearing.
Workout classes often play music at over 85 to 90 decibels for an hour, which exceeds the recommended limits from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), according to experts.
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Here’s what to know.
What is a safe level of sound?
A safe sound level depends on the length of the class and the amount you are attending each week, according to Sabrina Lee, an audiologist at HearUSA in New York.
Some audiology experts are warning that the loud volume of group fitness classes can take a toll on your hearing. (iStock)
“Sounds at or below 70 decibels are considered safe for an extended period of time, meaning that if classes were constantly held at this sound level, you could do back to back classes or work as an instructor without any hearing concerns,” she told Fox News Digital.
Noise levels should not exceed 85 decibels over a one-hour period, says the World Health Organization, which is about the length of a fitness class.
“It’s safe to say that for a typical fitness class, a safe sound level is at or below 85 decibels,” Lee said.
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Many classes exceed this level, the expert warned.
“High-intensity group fitness classes – like spinning, cardio or Zumba – can get up to and above 90 decibels, and sustain that volume throughout the class,” she said.
“The rationale for this is that many believe higher volumes of sound promote more intensity in workouts, and [it’s often] done as an encouragement to move to the beat.”
The World Health Organization recommends that noise levels should not exceed 85 decibels over a one-hour period. (iStock)
There is some science behind this, Lee acknowledged.
“Research does agree that music can help us engage well with a workout and can help motivate people to strive for intensity,” she said.
“For a typical fitness class, a safe sound level is at or below 85 decibels.”
“Aspects of music like a steady beat, motivational messaging and good, enjoyable sound are all things that can create a really dynamic and effective workout.”
This can pose a danger, however, as people crank up the volume to boost their motivation without realizing the possible negative side effects, Lee said.
Signs of adverse effects on hearing
There are some almost-instant signs that noise exposure may affect your hearing.
“If immediately after exposure, you notice that sounds are muffled to you, or you have ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears, you are likely having a temporary change in hearing as a result of noise exposure,” said Lee.
“High-intensity group fitness classes – like spinning, cardio or Zumba – can get up to and above 90 decibels, and sustain that volume throughout the class,” an expert said. (iStock)
These symptoms will usually fade away, but over time with repeated exposure to high intensities of sound, these effects may begin to take a permanent toll, she said.
The warning signs of permanent hearing loss may be a little different.
“If you find yourself getting confused or lost in group conversations, asking people to repeat themselves, or notice yourself regularly turning the volume up on headphones or speakers multiple times in order to hear, you might be experiencing the early stages of hearing loss,” Lee said.
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Another sign of damage to hearing is experiencing ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus.
Anyone noticing these types of symptoms should see a hearing expert for an audiology test, experts recommend.
“This can diagnose where your hearing is currently and where it’s headed,” said Lee.
How studios are ensuring safe sound levels
While experts say there aren’t specific regulations for audio levels in fitness facilities, many of them have opted to put their own guidelines in place.
“Many classes now offer ear protection at the studio for attendees, indicating a movement toward more inclusive hearing health activities,” Lee said.
Anyone noticing symptoms of hearing loss should see a hearing expert for an audiology test, experts recommend. (iStock)
Orangetheory Fitness, a national chain of high-intensity interval training studios based on heart rate zones, incorporates music as an integral part of the experience.
Rory Ellis, the Florida-based vice president of innovation and design at Orangetheory, spoke with Fox News Digital about how the company ensures members’ hearing safety.
“OTF’s audio systems are meticulously installed and programmed to ensure that the maximum sound pressure levels do not exceed an average of 95 decibels during class, prioritizing safety without compromising on the intensity of the workout experience,” Ellis said.
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“To achieve a consistent and controlled sound environment, we employ customized signal processing techniques, such as compression and limiting.”
One strategy that Orangetheory uses is microphone ducking technology, which helps ensure that the coach’s voice remains clear and intelligible.
“Research does agree that music can help us engage well with a workout and can help motivate people to strive for intensity,” an expert said. (iStock)
“This technology automatically lowers the music volume when the microphone is in use, maintaining the overall desired sound pressure level and eliminating the necessity or tendency to increase the microphone volume in an attempt to overpower the music,” Ellis said.
“The direct result is a safer, more immersive and exciting audio-visual workout experience for our clients, where the clarity of coaching is maintained without sacrificing the dynamic atmosphere of the class.”
Self-protective measures
If you find that the volume is too loud in a fitness class, there are several steps you can take.
Fitness class attendees and instructors should consider investing in a pair of comfortable hearing protection devices and wearing them when around the loud noise, recommended Brian Taylor, an audiologist and senior director of audiology at Signia Hearing in Minneapolis.
Earplugs can help maintain sound quality while reducing volume, an audiologist said. (iStock)
“So-called musician’s earplugs are a great choice for someone who is frequently exercising in a gym with loud music,” he told Fox News Digital.
“These earplugs maintain sound quality while reducing volume, making them ideal for individuals who frequent classes with loud music.”
“Length of exposure matters just as much as intensity of exposure.”
Lee noted that it may also be possible to change to a different location in the class to get farther away from the speakers — and if that fails, it’s best to step out of the class.”
She pointed out, “Length of exposure matters just as much as intensity of exposure … If noise levels are constantly too loud, even with hearing protection and while taking the above steps, it may also be worth considering looking into alternative fitness classes that refrain from playing loud music.”
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Lauren Tritle, an Orangetheory fitness instructor in Cincinnati who also attends classes herself, told Fox News Digital that the coaches are more susceptible to hearing damage due to the number of classes they lead on a daily or weekly basis.
“As a member, I prefer the music louder so I don’t hear people talking or myself breathing heavily,” she told Fox News Digital.
Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, is one common sign of hearing loss. (iStock)
“However, paying more attention to the decibel meter would certainly assist in keeping everyone’s hearing safe,” Tritle said.
Tritle also uses the Noise app on her smartwatch, and it rarely registers unsafe levels during class.
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In her experience as an instructor, Tritle has seen some members use the earplugs provided by the studio, but she has never had a member complain about the volume being too loud.
Hearing loss can occur at any age, although some people are at a higher risk than others.
Sabrina Lee, an audiologist at HearUSA in New York, weighed in on the risks of high volumes at fitness studios. (Sabrina Lee)
“Even seemingly innocuous amounts of noise can have an accumulative effect that warrants the use of hearing protection,” said Taylor.
“As people age, their risk for hearing loss increases. If you are in doubt about your hearing sensitivity, get it checked out by a professional.”
Fox News Digital reached out to additional fitness studios requesting comment.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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The key to feeling better in a fast, overstimulated world might be surprisingly simple: Live a little more like your grandparents.
A growing social media trend, dubbed “nonnamaxxing,” draws inspiration from the slower, more intentional rhythms associated with an Italian grandmother.
The lifestyle is often linked to activities like preparing home-cooked meals, spending time outdoors and making meaningful connections.
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“Nonnamaxxing is a 2026 trend that embraces the slower, more intentional lifestyle of an Italian grandmother (a Nonna). Think cooking from scratch, long family meals, daily walks, gardening and less screen time,” Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.
Nonnamaxxing, derived from the name for an Italian grandmother, is a trend that incorporates lifestyle habits hundreds of years in the making. (iStock)
Stepping away from screens and toward real-world interaction can have measurable benefits, according to California-based psychotherapist Laurie Singer.
“We know that interacting with others in person, rather than spending time on screens, significantly improves mental health,” she told Fox News Digital, adding that social media often fuels comparison and lowers self-esteem.
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Living more like previous generations isn’t purely driven by nostalgia. Cooking meals from scratch, for example, has been linked to better nutrition and more mindful eating patterns.
Adopting traditional mealtime habits can improve diet quality and support both physical and mental health, especially when meals are shared regularly with others, Palinski-Wade noted.
One longevity expert stresses that staying healthy isn’t just about food — it’s also about joy and community. (iStock)
There’s also a psychological benefit to slowing down and focusing on one task at a time. Anxiety often stems from unfinished or avoided tasks, Singer noted, and engaging in hands-on activities can counteract that.
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“Nonnamaxxing encourages us to be present around a task, like gardening, baking or knitting, or just taking a mindful walk, that delivers something ‘real,’” she said.
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Palinski-Wade cautions against turning the trend into another source of pressure, noting that a traditional “nonna” lifestyle often assumes a different pace of life.
The key, she said, is adapting the mindset, not replicating it perfectly.
Nonnamaxxing, derived from the name for an Italian grandmother, is a trend that incorporates lifestyle habits hundreds of years in the making. (iStock)
The goal is to reintroduce small, intentional moments that make you feel better.
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That might mean prioritizing a few shared meals each week, taking a walk without your phone or setting aside time for a simple hobby, the expert recommended.
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Singer added, “Having a positive place to escape to, through whatever activities speak to us and make us happy, isn’t generational – it’s human.”
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Feeling lonely may take a toll on older adults’ memory — but it may not speed up cognitive decline, according to a new study.
Researchers from Colombia, Spain and Sweden analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults ages 65 to 94 across 12 European countries and found those who reported higher levels of loneliness did worse on memory tests at the start of the study, according to research published this month in the journal Aging & Mental Health.
Over a seven-year period, however, memory decline occurred at a similar rate regardless of how lonely participants felt.
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“The finding that loneliness significantly impacted memory, but not the speed of decline in memory over time was a surprising outcome,” lead author Dr. Luis Carlos Venegas-Sanabria of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Universidad del Rosario said in a statement.
Loneliness may be linked to memory performance in older adults, a new study suggests. (iStock)
“It suggests that loneliness may play a more prominent role in the initial state of memory than in its progressive decline,” Venegas-Sanabria said, adding that the findings highlight the importance of addressing loneliness as a factor in cognitive performance.
The findings add to debate about whether loneliness contributes to dementia risk. While loneliness and social isolation are often considered risk factors for cognitive decline, research results have been mixed.
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The study looked at data from the long-running Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which tracked 10,217 older adults between 2012 and 2019. Participants were asked to recall words immediately and after a delay to measure memory performance.
Social isolation and loneliness could play a surprising role in cognitive health among seniors. (iStock)
Loneliness was assessed using three questions about how often participants felt isolated, left out or lacking companionship.
About 8% of participants reported high levels of loneliness at the outset. That group tended to be older, more likely to be female and more likely to have conditions such as depression.
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Researchers found that those with higher loneliness had lower scores on both immediate and delayed memory tests at baseline. Still, all groups — regardless of loneliness level — experienced similar declines in memory over time.
The results suggest loneliness may not directly accelerate the progression of memory loss, though it remains linked to poorer cognitive performance overall.
Researchers look at a brain scan at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
Experts warn, however, that the findings should not be interpreted to mean loneliness is harmless.
“The finding that lonely older adults start with worse memory but don’t decline faster is actually the most interesting part of the paper, and I think it’s easy to misread,” said Jordan Weiss, Ph.D., a scientific advisor and aging expert at Assisted Living Magazine and a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
“It likely means loneliness does its damage earlier in life, well before people show up in a study like this at 65-plus,” Weiss told Fox News Digital.
By older age, long-term social patterns may already be established, making it harder to detect when the effects of loneliness first took hold, an aging expert says. (iStock)
He suggested that by older age, long-term social patterns may already be established, making it harder to detect when the effects of loneliness first took hold.
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“By the time you’re measuring someone in their late 60s, decades of social connection patterns are already baked in,” he said.
Weiss, who was not involved in the research, added that loneliness may coincide with other health conditions, and noted that participants who felt more isolated also had higher rates of depression, high-blood pressure and diabetes. The link, he said, may reflect a cluster of health risks rather than a direct cause.
“While they can go hand-in-hand, it’s not clear that loneliness contributes to dementia,” a psychotherapist says. (iStock)
Amy Morin, a Florida-based psychotherapist and author, said the findings reflect a broader pattern in research on loneliness and brain health, and that the relationship may be more complex than it appears.
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“The evidence shows there’s a link between loneliness and cognitive decline but there’s no direct evidence of a cause and effect relationship,” she said. “So while they can go hand-in-hand, it’s not clear that loneliness contributes to dementia.”
Morin added that loneliness, which can fluctuate, may not be the root of the problem, but rather a symptom of other underlying mental or physical health issues.
Researchers suggested screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging. (iStock)
She said staying socially and mentally engaged is crucial for overall brain health.
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“It’s important to be proactive about social activities,” Morin said. “Joining a book club, having coffee with a friend, or attending faith-based services can be a powerful way to maintain connections in older age.”
The researchers also suggested screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
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