Prevalance of hearing loss on dental laboratory technicians exposed to noise

Introduction: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the frequency of occupational hearing loss in technicians working in dental labs. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was planned in both ears of 72 cases which composed of 36 freelancer dental technicians and 36 healthy individuals in Sivas. Their ears were examined with an audiometric test at the Otolaryngology Department of Faculty of Medicine at Cumhuriyet University. Noise amount of each of the laboratories were measured. The office workers were chosen as the control group those who had not faced with the materials used during the prosthesis construction stage and who did not work under noisy conditions. Results: As a result, dental laboratory technicians are considered to be among those occupational groups which are under risk in terms of occupational hearing loss. They have to be informed about the risks and it is essential to take necessary precautions. Discussion & Conclusion:In combination with the application of the required measures, in order to control the prevalence of the hearing loss, dental prosthesis technicians must be controlled periodically in regard to the possible professional disorders and the noise level of the working environment must be controlled.
Do?an, D.Ö.; Department of Prosthodontics, Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Dentistry, Sivas, Turkey; email: dodogan@yahoo.com