Gym Music – Now You Pay Twice for the Damage

Auckland April 8 – Gym-goers regularly subjected to dangerous noise levels from music should ask their gyms not to pay a new levy for fitness class music, the National Foundation for the Deaf says.

The fitness industry has announced a levy of 50 cents a year per member for music played in group fitness classes and another 50 cents for background music, but NFD Chief Executive Louise Carroll says gym members are being short-changed.

“We’re regularly getting complaints from gym-goers about the loud music levels in fitness classes,” she said today.

“Being asked to pay a levy for the music just adds insult to the injury. They’re paying twice for the damage.

“People who aren’t happy with the noise levels should ask their gym management not to pay. It’s only 50 cents each but it will make a point.”

Mrs Carroll said it was not just the people attending the fitness classes who were affected by loud music, but the people who ran them as well. The instructors were usually at the front of the class in front of the speakers where they were getting the full blast.

She said scientists had found noise damage could also prematurely age the victim’s hearing because the same part of the hearing mechanism was involved.

“What’s the point of having the body of an athlete and being socially isolated because you can’t hear and are unable to afford to buy hearing aids because ACC won’t be paying?” Mrs Carroll said.

“Gyms need to play music at sensible levels because when your hearing is damaged, it’s damaged for good.”

ENDS

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