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      Prevalence of Tinnitus and Noise-induced Hearing Loss in Dentists

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          Abstract

          Introduction:

          The purpose of this study was to evaluate noise levels in dental offices and to estimate the risk and prevalence of tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in practicing dentists.

          Materials and Methods:

          First, measures were collected of sound pressure levels produced by dental handpieces and dental suction in the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) College of Dentistry. Second, a survey was distributed to members of the Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA).

          Results:

          Measurements made in the dental operatory revealed dangerous levels when high-volume suction was in use alone and in conjunction with a dental handpiece. Questionnaire results suggested that practicing dentists report sensorineural hearing loss at a rate broadly in line with national averages. However, dentists reported a higher prevalence of tinnitus symptoms than would be expected based on sample demographics.

          Conclusion:

          Results from sound level measurements and questionnaire responses indicate that dentists are a population that could be placing their hearing health at risk in a typical daily work environment.

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          Most cited references17

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          Hearing loss prevalence in the United States.

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            Hearing loss and the high speed dental handpiece.

            A pure tone air conduction audiometric evaluation was administered to 137 dentists and 80 physicians. The physicians were found to have better hearing threshold levels, notably in the 4000HZ center frequency range. The left ear of right handed dentists showed a greater loss of hearing ostensibly related to proximity to the noise source. Dental specialists showed a loss pattern similar to those of the general dentists. The findings suggest that there may be a cause and effect relationship between hearing loss and use of the highspeed dental handpiece.
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              General dental practitioners and hearing impairment.

              Hearing impairment (HI) remains a problem among dentists Hearing loss at speech frequencies was recently reported among dentists and dental hygienists. This study aimed to investigate prevalence and factors associated with perceived HI among dentists. In 2009-2010, 100 general dental practitioners (GDPs) and 115 general (medical) practitioners (GPs) (mean ages, 43.7 and 44.4 years) from Rome (Italy), who commenced practice ≥ 10 years ago, were interviewed on a series of occupation- and recreation-related HI risk factors and on HI-associated symptoms (tinnitus, sensation of fullness, hypoacusis). Prevalence of presumptive HI (≥ 1 symptom perceived during workdays and weekends) was assessed and factors associated with presumptive HI were investigated. Prevalence was 30.0% (95% confidence interval, 21.0-39.0%) and 14.8% (95% confidence interval, 8.3-21.3%) among GDPs and GPs, respectively. Occupation (GDP vs. GP), family history of hypoacusis, hypertension, ear diseases and smoking were significantly associated with presumptive HI. Within GDPs alone, significant associations were found for frequent use of ultrasonic scalers, use of dental turbines aged≥1 year and prosthodontics as prevalent specialty. GDPs experienced HI risk than GPs. Such a risk was not generalized to all dentists, but was specific for those who frequently used noisy equipment (aged turbines, ultrasonic scalers) during their daily practice. GDPs with 10 or more years of practice who routinely use potentially noisy equipment, could be at risk of HI. In order to prevent such condition, daily maintenance and periodical replacement of dental instruments is recommended. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Noise Health
                Noise Health
                NH
                Noise & Health
                Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd (India )
                1463-1741
                1998-4030
                Nov-Dec 2016
                : 18
                : 85
                : 347-354
                Affiliations
                [1 ]Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
                [2 ]Department of Operative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
                Author notes
                Address for correspondence: Dr. Andrew B. John, 1200N Stonewall Ave #3080, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA. E-mail: andrew-b-john@ 123456ouhsc.edu
                Article
                NH-18-347
                10.4103/1463-1741.195809
                5227015
                27991466
                0214012f-758d-4317-a878-0842f4bef9fa
                Copyright: © 2016 Noise & Health

                This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

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                Categories
                Original Article

                dentistry,noise-induced hearing loss,tinnitus
                dentistry, noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus

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