Effects of exercise training on hearing ability.
This study was designed to determine whether improvements in both cardiovascular fitness and hearing sensitivity occurred following 2 months of aerobic exercise training. Seventeen moderately-low fit (VO2 peak <32 ml/kg/min) young adults were evaluated for cardiovascular fitness and pure-tone and temporary threshold shifts (TTS) at 2, 3, and 4 kHz before and following 10 min of noise. Subjects exercised for 8 weeks by cycling on a bicycle ergometer at 70% of their peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak). Average VO2 peak increased 34% (p < 0.05) above pre-exercise training levels. Both pure-tone hearing (2 and 3 kHz) and TTS improved following 2 months of exercise training at the evaluated frequencies (2, 3, and 4 kHz) (p < 0.05). Cardiovascular health as indicated by VO2 peak was associated with hearing sensitivity. Although the mechanisms have not been identified, these results support the existence of a cardiovascular health-hearing synergism.
Cristell
M
M
Department of Communication, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA.
Hutchinson
K M
KM
Alessio
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors