Noise Disturbance and Potential Hearing Loss Due to Exposure of Dental Equipment in Flemish Dentists

Abstract

Long-term exposure to occupational noise is often associated with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among dentists. This study aims to investigate potential hearing loss (HL) and self-reported annoyance as a result of exposure to noise produced by contemporary dental equipment. Methods: Three cohorts participated: 53 dentists with more than 5 years of service, 47 dentists with at most 5 years of service, and 53 pharmacists as controls, age and gender-matched to the first group. After the exclusion of one person, the hearing of 304 ears was screened with the Flemish version of the digit triplet in noise test (DTT). If screening failed, otoscopy and pure tone audiometry (PTA) were performed for both ears. Furthermore, general information, knowledge, exposure, annoyance, general health, and preventive measures were assessed with a custom-made questionnaire. Results: NIHL did not occur significantly more often with dentists than with controls. However, dentists revealed a significantly higher annoyance (related to the noise from their equipment) and reported more complaints than the pharmacists. All three groups indicated lack of knowledge on hearing care. Conclusions: While noise levels in contemporary dentistry are not harmful and do not induce NIHL, the sounds emitted by the devices are disturbing and affect mental health. This study calls for increased awareness of the consequences of sound exposure and stresses the need to monitor and protect the hearing of dentists regularly.

Ruido en escenarios de práctica extramural de una facultad de odontología en instituciones de salud de área metropolitana, Bucaramanga-Colombia

“…Las investigaciones entono a la pérdida de audición inducida por exposición a ruido son controversiales. Si bien, algunos autores han encontrado una correlación directa entre la pérdida de la audición y la exposición a ruido tanto en los profesionales como en estudiantes de odontología [19,20], otros estudios no han identificado diferencias en la pérdida de la capacidad auditiva entre odontólogos y otros profesionales del área de la salud [ 21]. Más recientemente, una revisión sistemática ha concluido que los profesionales de la salud bucal están expuestos a ruidos excesivos en una jornada laboral de ocho horas, dado que los niveles de ruido de los dispositivos dentales pueden acumularse y por tanto esto podría aumentar el riesgo de pérdida auditiva [22].…”

Noise Level Identification on Dental Clinic

“…The researcher also suggested the application of protective strategies in dental clinics. 84 out of 304 tested ears (28%) showed a pattern of hearing loss, the audiometric analysis showed that 30 ears had a pattern indicating another pattern of hearing loss, influenced mainly by age (Dierickx et al, 2021). But this statement has no meaning in statistics.…”

Are We Hearing Right? The Negative Impact of New SARS-CoV-2 Preventive Measures and Prolonged Use of Treatment Modalities during Orthodontic Treatment

“…Dental professionals, in general, are predisposed to a variety of occupational hazards purely by the nature of their occupation. From life-threatening infections such as Viral Hepatitis and HIV to the use of chemical-based materials, radiation, and last but not least, noise [1][2][3][4][5]. Previous studies have shown that Hearing loss may not be symptomatic, but some dentists have previously reported signs such as Tinnitus [6].…”