Occupational noise induced hearing loss among Dental Professionals
- Author:
Ananya Madiyal
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Occupational hazard;
Hearing loss;
Tinnitus
- From:
Pacific Journal of Medical Sciences
2018;18(1):44-51
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Dental professionals are subjected to noise from dental equipment and instruments throughout the day at work. Although most of the individual instruments have sound emission below the safety level stated by Occupation safety and health administration (OSHA), running of multiple instruments in close proximity for long hours and over several years causes hearing loss in dental professionals. Changes such as irritability, constriction of blood vessels, increase in heart rate and blood pressure, tinnitus and decreased hearing sensitivity is associated with exposure to high levels of noise. Cumulative effect of excess noise can lead to damage to the cochlea causing irreversible damage to hearing. Dentists begin to show reduction in hearing to high frequency sound at 4000 to 6000 Hz but remain unaware of the problem till 28% of hearing loss has occurred. Dental professionals working in a dental school set-up are at an increased risk for noise induced hearing loss due to the proximity to pre-clinical, clinical and laboratory equipment during their work day. Dental students and professionals should be educated about these hazards and advised to use preventive measures to reduce disability. Employees should be informed of the potential for hearing loss and protocols should be in place to make such working environments safer.
