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 ((V) over dot(2) 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 ((V) over dotO(2) peak). Average (V) over dotO(2) 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 (V) over dotO(2) peak was associated with hearing sensitivity. Although the mechanisms have not been identified, these results support the existence of a cardiovascular health-hearing synergism.