The temporary hearing thresholds shifts in fitness instructors

Noise in the entertainment industry often reaches high sound pressure levels. The aim of this study was to analyze the temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) of hearing among fitness instructors. The study comprised a total of 30 fitness instructors working in fitness clubs. The noise dosimeters were used to determine individual noise exposure during exercises conducted by the instructors. To assess the TTS values, the pure tone audiometry tests were performed before and just after the exercises. The observed TTSs were compared with the predicted TTSs according to the computational model developed by Melnick (1991). Typical fitness exercises lasted from 1 to 2 h and A-weighted equivalent-continuous sound pressure level ranged from 75 to 96 dB. Temporary threshold shifts after the sound exposure were statistically significant. The actual values of TTS fitted well with the values predicted with the TTS computational model. The results show that the computational TTS model gives results consistent with the TTS observed in the study group. Fitness instructors constitute a population at an increased risk of the hearing loss. Raising awareness of this fact and implementing hearing protection programs in this group of workers are urgently needed.Noise in the entertainment industry often reaches high sound pressure levels. The aim of this study was to analyze the temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) of hearing among fitness instructors. The study comprised a total of 30 fitness instructors working in fitness clubs. The noise dosimeters were used to determine individual noise exposure during exercises conducted by the instructors. To assess the TTS values, the pure tone audiometry tests were performed before and just after the exercises. The observed TTSs were compared with the predicted TTSs according to the computational model developed by Melnick (1991). Typical fitness exercises lasted from 1 to 2 h and A-weighted equivalent-continuous sound pressure level ranged from 75 to 96 dB. Temporary threshold shifts after the sound exposure were statistically significant. The actual values of TTS fitted well with the values predicted with the TTS computational model. The results show that the computational TTS model gives results consistent with the TTS ob...