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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

Assessment of hearing performance of dental technicians due to the professional noise exposure

Authors: Sunil Kumar Vaddamanu, Fahad Hussain Alhamoudi, Rayan Ibrahim H. Binduhayyim, AlBandary Hassan AlJameel, Maram Ali M. Alwadi, Marco Di Blasio, Marco Cicciù, Giuseppe Minervini

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Some of the noise-intensive processes in dental laboratories include the finishing of crowns, bridges, and removable partial dentures; blowing out workpieces with steam and compressed air; and deflating casting rings. High sound pressure levels are also present in dental vibrators, polishing equipment, and sandblasters. The aim of this study was to Evaluation of the effect of noise production in dental technology laboratory on dental technician hearing capacity.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, a total of 120 dental technicians were chosen. Otoscopic evaluation and the Weber test were used to establish if they had sensorineural or transmission hearing loss at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz, respectively. Then an OAER (objective auditory evoked response) and PTA (clinical aurimeter) test were administered (Neurosoft, Russia). The whole procedure was carried out by an audiologist and an ENT specialist.

Results

The PTA results showed that the patient had mild hearing impairment overall, with the loss being more severe in the left ear than in the right. The OAE test results revealed that in-ear of the left side, 84.5% of subjects passed and 15.5% of subjects struggled and were referred to an ear specialist, whereas in the right ear, 82.7% of subjects passed and 17.3% struggled and were referred to an ear specialist. According to this study, in a right-handed study participant, the ear on the left side is more vulnerable than the right side. Differences in the mean hearing threshold at 4000 and 6000 Hz in the left ear were statistically significant in the groups of workers with eleven to fifteen years of practical experience and twenty-one to twenty-five years of practical experience, respectively (Minervini, et al. J Clin Med 12:2652, 2023).

Conclusions

A statistically meaningful threshold shift from 4000 to 6000 Hz is observed as the working experience grows, and this is suggestive of sensorineural hearing impairment brought on by the noisy dental environment.

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Title: Assessment of hearing performance of dental technicians due to the professional noise exposure
Authors: Sunil Kumar Vaddamanu
Fahad Hussain Alhamoudi
Rayan Ibrahim H. Binduhayyim
AlBandary Hassan AlJameel
Maram Ali M. Alwadi
Marco Di Blasio
Marco Cicciù
Giuseppe Minervini
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03392-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Assessment of hearing performance of dental technicians due to the professional noise exposure

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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