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

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  • Michael Dierickx

    (Department of Oral Health Sciences-Dentistry, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Suzanne Verschraegen

    (Department of Oral Health Sciences-Orthodontics, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Els Wierinck

    (Department of Oral Health Sciences-Dentistry, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Guy Willems

    (Department of Oral Health Sciences-Orthodontics, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Astrid van Wieringen

    (Research Group Experimental Oto-rhino-laryngology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Dierickx & Suzanne Verschraegen & Els Wierinck & Guy Willems & Astrid van Wieringen, 2021. "Noise Disturbance and Potential Hearing Loss Due to Exposure of Dental Equipment in Flemish Dentists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5617-:d:561353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zubick, H.H. & Tolentino, A.T. & Boffa, J., 1980. "Hearing loss and the high speed dental handpiece," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 70(6), pages 633-635.
    2. Sridhar Krishnamurti, 2009. "Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated with Occupational Noise Exposure: Effects of Age-Corrections," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Kuen Wai Ma & Hai Ming Wong & Cheuk Ming Mak, 2017. "Dental Environmental Noise Evaluation and Health Risk Model Construction to Dental Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, September.
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    Cited by:

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