The Sound of Dentistry
Within the dental profession constant strides have been taken to improve our ergonomic health and mental wellbeing, why not take your auditory health into consideration? Research shows that dentists are 50% more likely to suffer from tinnitus and hearing loss compared to the general population1. Loss of hearing leads to increased irritability and withdrawal from social activities and conversations, which ultimately impacts quality of life. Dental professionals are at risk of developing hearing loss through daily exposure to noise from a wide range of equipment that produces significantly high decibels and noise frequencies.
OSHA mandates that individuals wear hearing protective devices (HPDs) with exposures to 85 dB or higher for eight continuous hours. Within the dental community, generally there are not eight continuous hours of noise levels at or above 85 dB, rather exposure to repeated smaller bursts of noises over time, therefore it is not mandated by OSHA that dental personnel wear hearing protection. Throughout the years dental handpieces have emitted a pitch averaging between 70-82 dBA, with peaks reaching 105 dBA. These figures include all types: electrically-powered; micro-motor; and pneumatic.2 Add to this the noise produced by Cavitron ultrasonic scalers (84-98 dBA) and high-volume suction (86-89 dBA), and it becomes apparent that operatory environment is hazardous to hearing. Several studies noted mild variations in noise levels between specialties, however a few which had focused on pediatric dentistry, recorded intensities which were “out-of-the-ballpark”, with peaks reaching a deafening 112.9dBA.3 According to a 2023 analysis in Occupational Medicine, noise-induced hearing damage can start to become noticeable for dental professionals within just 10 of experience.4
We cannot escape the noises of everyday dentistry, but we can take extra measures through hearing protective devices. Over-the-counter, non-custom, noise-attenuation earplugs are an affordable option that does not completely block out all noise but reduces sound evenly (i.e. EARaseres™). These are typically composed of silicone or foam and are labeled as “passive sound control.” Additionally, earplugs can also be made custom by an audiologist who would need to make an impression of the ear to create an earplug that fits securely and is more comfortable. The best option, yet the most expensive, is electronic earplugs. Equipped with a small microchip, these small earplugs compress higher-level damaging sounds while maintaining an “open ear” response, resulting in 100% HD hearing and “active sound control.” Communication remains clear and unaffected, while hearing damage is prevented. With this new technology, we truly have a solution that will address our concerns and solve our noise exposure issues.
The change in hearing is almost imperceptibly slow and often does not truly present itself until an appreciable amount of damage has occurred. We protect our eyes with loupes and safety glasses, and we should also be protecting our ears to prevent hearing loss, both short and long term.
References:
1) Hoffman HJ, Dobie RA, Losonczy KG, Themann CL, Flamme GA. Declining prevalence of hearing loss in US adults aged 20 to 69 years. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017.
2) Sampaio Fernandes JC, Carvalho AP, Gallas M, Vaz P, Matos PA. Noise levels in dental schools. Eur J Dent Educ. 2006.
3) Jadid K, Klein U, Meinke D. Assessment of noise exposures in a pediatric dentistry residency clinic. Pediatr Dent. 2011.
4) J C Hartland, G Tejada, E J Riedel, A H-L Chen, O Mascarenhas, J Kroon, Systematic review of hearing loss in dental professionals, Occupational Medicine, Vol 73, October 2023.
