Dentistry and Hearing Loss

[jorUW]

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Hey all, I just returned from a weekend visit with my grandfather, a 80 year old retired dentist who can barely hear anymore. I was talking with my uncle about the humor that comes with talking to such a person when we went into a tangent about hearing loss among dentists and other professionals.

This particular uncle is a orthopedic surgeon and has a lot of dialogue with other doctors and more appropriate to my discussion, audiologists. In his practice he works with highspeed drilling equipment similar to what dentists use. Apparently the sound frequency of a drill causes profound damage to our ears and results in a major loss of hearing at an earlier age than normal. I had never even thought about this being an issue in dentistry. What do you guys think about that?

I guess my question to current students is if this is something you've seen or heard about while in school? My uncle told me that I should look into getting a sound filtering earplug from a local audiologist that filters out the damaging frequencies of a drill. It supposedly allows you hear normal talking, but not the whine of a drill. Thoughts?

 

[johntara04]

Hey all, I just returned from a weekend visit with my grandfather, a 80 year old retired dentist who can barely hear anymore. I was talking with my uncle about the humor that comes with talking to such a person when we went into a tangent about hearing loss among dentists and other professionals.

This particular uncle is a orthopedic surgeon and has a lot of dialogue with other doctors and more appropriate to my discussion, audiologists. In his practice he works with highspeed drilling equipment similar to what dentists use. Apparently the sound frequency of a drill causes profound damage to our ears and results in a major loss of hearing at an earlier age than normal. I had never even thought about this being an issue in dentistry. What do you guys think about that?

I guess my question to current students is if this is something you've seen or heard about while in school? My uncle told me that I should look into getting a sound filtering earplug from a local audiologist that filters out the damaging frequencies of a drill. It supposedly allows you hear normal talking, but not the whine of a drill. Thoughts?

Or get electric handpieces when you graduate. You and your patients will love them.

 

[Lesley]

Hey all, I just returned from a weekend visit with my grandfather, a 80 year old retired dentist who can barely hear anymore. I was talking with my uncle about the humor that comes with talking to such a person when we went into a tangent about hearing loss among dentists and other professionals.

This particular uncle is a orthopedic surgeon and has a lot of dialogue with other doctors and more appropriate to my discussion, audiologists. In his practice he works with highspeed drilling equipment similar to what dentists use. Apparently the sound frequency of a drill causes profound damage to our ears and results in a major loss of hearing at an earlier age than normal. I had never even thought about this being an issue in dentistry. What do you guys think about that?

I guess my question to current students is if this is something you've seen or heard about while in school? My uncle told me that I should look into getting a sound filtering earplug from a local audiologist that filters out the damaging frequencies of a drill. It supposedly allows you hear normal talking, but not the whine of a drill. Thoughts?

After practicing for 25 years plus the four in dental school where the noice level is excessively high as many drills are in use at one time, I think hearing loss is probable, although slow, not rapid. I had mentioned that I joined the Navy in prior posts, actually it was the only branch that would accept me. Not because of poor grades or clinical problems, but because I was born deaf in one ear. The airforce and army would not waive my disability. Having only one good ear, I am very aware of my level of noise exposure. However, having a sound filtering earplug is not something I am inclined to do as I feel would effect communication with my patients and assistant. My practical approach, has been to work less, my exposure to excessive high pitched, frequency sound is decreased as is the stress on my heritated disc in my neck, another problem exacerbated by dentistry. My hearing did not effect my education or my ability to attend regular classes. I was given no special exceptions for my impediment at home, at school or in the work place. In fact, my father was so afraid that if I told anyone of my problem, including colleges or dental schools, that I would not be accepted. So, I didn't. Pretty much no one knew during my school years. It was only as an adult, years later, that I could even admit, especially in social situations, where there is a lot of noise, that I was deaf. It was very freeing. So, protect your hearing, protect your body, to the best of your abilities, but all jobs take a toll as does getting older. Electric drills are a thought, but the expense would require me to work more hours to justify them. I'd rather work less, and after 25 years, I'm lucky to do so. Good Luck.

One of my favorite quotes. "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." Emerson

So true.

 

[Turnerjo13]

Here is an article about hearing loss and dentistry.

 

[dentofalltrades]

Hey all, I just returned from a weekend visit with my grandfather, a 80 year old retired dentist who can barely hear anymore. I was talking with my uncle about the humor that comes with talking to such a person when we went into a tangent about hearing loss among dentists and other professionals.

This particular uncle is a orthopedic surgeon and has a lot of dialogue with other doctors and more appropriate to my discussion, audiologists. In his practice he works with highspeed drilling equipment similar to what dentists use. Apparently the sound frequency of a drill causes profound damage to our ears and results in a major loss of hearing at an earlier age than normal. I had never even thought about this being an issue in dentistry. What do you guys think about that?

I guess my question to current students is if this is something you've seen or heard about while in school? My uncle told me that I should look into getting a sound filtering earplug from a local audiologist that filters out the damaging frequencies of a drill. It supposedly allows you hear normal talking, but not the whine of a drill. Thoughts?

I think hearing loss among dentists is going to become a thing of the past.

You are starting to see the electric handpieces, which really do not make very much noice. I talked to a dental rep the other day and he mentioned that there is some really neat handpieces with active noise cancellation, in handpieces much like how people have on their headphones. Even the older handpieces of 10 years ago are much quieter than handpieces in the 1950's. I have not personally heard this, but from talking to older patients who comment on how much they like visiting the dentist now because they do not hear the "whirring drilling noise" and this has been a consistent comment. So hopefully hearing loss will become a thing of the past.

 

[Envision]

Or get electric handpieces when you graduate. You and your patients will love them.

Although the electric/laser drills are awesome, they are also every bit more expensive. Hopefully their prices will drop in the near future.

http://www.designnews.com/article/CA189200.html