Tinnitus and Hearing Loss in Dentists Prevention

1.1 Integration of Dentistry and the One, a Guarantee to Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Prevention

Over the course of the years, dentists have been on the receiving end of  Tinnitus and hearing loss consequences emanating from their own practice. Apart from minor hand injuries and torn muscles operating on teeth, they experience continuous exposure to noise pollution. The sources of the noise they experience originate from the tools they use and from the natural environment. Some of the tools they use such as the handpieces generate too much noise which when the ear is exposed to for a long time, the dentist risks hearing loss. From the natural environment, the ear picks noise from the cries by the clients or from the people in the room during surgery. Without dentists, some of our toothache problems may lack an amicable solution, tooth alignment may stall and tooth removal ceases. If the dentists are such a blessing to us, why do they go down the victims of tinnitus and hearing loss?

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1.2 The One dental earplug

The One is a customized earplug specifically designed for the dentists. These earplugs prevent exposure of the ear to excessive noise from both the machines and the natural environment during operations. The One functions with two filters. There is the primary filter on the outside and the secondary filter in the inside. The primary filter filters general noise from the environment and machines. The secondary filter filters the unwanted noise before it reaches the eardrum.

1.2.1 Importance of using the One dental earplug

The major difference between the big Ears’ the One dental earplug is that it allows for a certain limit of noise exposure. The two filters work simultaneously thereby controlling the type of noise that ends up in the inner ear. From the outside of the ear, the primary filter regulates the amount of noise entering the earplug from both the natural environment and the dental surgery equipment. Unlike other earplugs with a single filter, the One dental earplug has two to filters that collectively work together to regulate the amount of noise entering the inner ear.

On the second filter, the One dental earplug has the secondary filter installed. The secondary filter ensures only the natural voices access the inner ear. Additionally, it only allows up to 85dB. This implies that only the allowed noise pressure can penetrate the earplug. As for the One dental earplug, the allowed noise include natural sounds such as of the patient and the surgery crew. This earplug bars other types of noises from reaching the inner ear.

In addition, the dental earplug regulates the intensity of the noise that penetrates to the inner ear. This standardized feature does not discriminate the source of the noise. Therefore, even if the noise comes from the natural source, the secondary filter will filter it out. For instance, the earplug cancels the noise from a patient that screams exposing the eardrum of the dentist to a noise pressure exceeding 85dB. On the other hand, the earplug allows any other natural sound with pressure below 85dB into the eardrum.

tinnitus in dentist

1.2.2 Tinnitus and hearing loss, a risk associated with loud noise exposure

According to the study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 5 out of 10 retired dentist experience tinnitus. In the same study, they discovered that a third of the people suffering from tinnitus seek medical assistance which proves quite expensive. Two out of five people suffering from tinnitus successfully recover using this medication whilst the rest remain in the irreversible state. In cases of tinnitus irreversibility, the dentist risks permanent ear loss.

Tinnitus refers to the perception of a type of a ringing sound by a person whereas the sound is non-existent. Over the course of the years, scientists have tried explaining what really causes tinnitus and what the potential treatment may be. In as much as they cannot precisely deduct the cure for tinnitus, they relate treatment by studying the causes. They relate tinnitus and hearing loss to the related illnesses and understanding the symptoms to help ease, manage or block out the ringing-in-the-ear sensation.

1.3 How tinnitus develop

There are several factors preempted to cause tinnitus. However, the major cause is prolonged exposure to the ear to intensive noise. This exposure leads to inner ear cell damage. Exposing an ear to high-intensity sound causes the inner delicate hairs to move in the direction of the sound waves. This triggers the ear cells to produce an electrical signal through the auditory nerve to the brain. The signals sent to the brain translates into sound. In cases where the inner hairs in the inner ear break or bend, a random electrical signal sent to the brain cause tinnitus and hearing loss.

1.3.1 Tinnitus symptoms

The main symptom of tinnitus is the ability to hear imaginary sounds when there is no actual sound in the environment. Some of the phantom noises from the ear associated with tinnitus include the following:

  1. A ringing sound, which may become louder or lighter with time.
  2. A frequent buzzing sound
  3. A roaring sound.
  4. A hissing sound

These sounds may occur in one or both ears. In some cases, the noise may become so loud that it interferes with a person’s concentration. The sound may be irritating hindering a person from hearing the actual sounds in the environment.

1.3.2 Causes of tinnitus

  1. Exposure to loud noise

This is the major cause of tinnitus. Continuous exposure to loud noise increases the chances of the inner hair of the ear-bending or breaking. When the hair breaks, it triggers the auditory nerve to send irregular electrical signals to the brain triggering tinnitus. The dentists while performing their tooth surgeries, use noisy equipment such as the handpieces. Such equipment produces a large volume of noise to the ear. Continuous use of the same equipment by the same dentist without an earplug exposes them to a greater danger of developing tinnitus and hearing loss.

1.3.3 Other causes

  1. Age-related causes

As a person ages, they become vulnerable to presbycusis. Such a condition occurs when a person approaches the 60th age. The person tends to wear out in terms of their hearing capability. The more a person experiences ear loss, the higher the chances of developing tinnitus.

  1. Earwax blockage

Earwax protects the ear canal by trapping the dirt and preventing bacterial development in the ear. However, when the earwax over accumulates in the ear canal, it may cause ear loss or irritation in the ear canal which may cause tinnitus and hearing loss.

1.4 Tinnitus causes for dentists

Several scientists have hypothesized different possible causes of tinnitus. Some relate tinnitus to head injuries, acoustic neuroma, blood vessel disorders, and other medications such as antibiotics and aspirin. In all their arguments, they appreciate that the major and legit cause of tinnitus in the dentist is exposure to noise.

Following the nature of the working environment the dentists, cannot resist exposure to noise. Over the course of their carrier, they continuously expose their ears to excessive noise from both the materials, which they use and the patients themselves. The materials in their laboratories produce a high volume of noise, which may trigger tinnitus and hearing loss when exposed for long. Other sources of noise in the office are the natural cause. Natural causes include the noise from the surgery personnel and the patients.

1.4.1 Complications that come with tinnitus

Tinnitus affects a person wholesomely. The quality of life of the person deteriorates differently. According to research by the department of health and human service, one may experience the following complications alongside tinnitus and hearing loss.

a. Fatigue

People with tinnitus and hearing loss experience frequent fatigue without a proper course. Others may feel lazy in handling even the slightest of house chores.

b. Stress, which develops due to continuous worries of the condition one, is in. Continued stress develops into depression.

c. Sleeping problems

d. Concentration issues

e. Irritability especially in the inner ear.

f. Depression arises with excessive worrying about the situation one is in.

1.4.2 General tinnitus preventive measures

  • Turn down the machine volume. Long-term exposure to loud music through headphones increases the chances of developing tinnitus. For music listeners, reducing the music volume may help reduce the chances of tinnitus infection. However, this preventive measure fails to apply to dentists. They cannot turn down the volume of noise produced by their machines.
  • Take care of cardiovascular health as a routine. Prevention of tinnitus and hearing loss linked to blood disorders is achievable through the right diets, regular exercise, and taking steps aimed at ensuring one attains a clean blood vessel. This preventive measure is applicable to the dentist. However, the tinnitus in dentists is not blood-linked.

1.4.3 Tinnitus and Hearing loss preventive measure for dentists

Using the Big Ear’s the One dental earplugs. As stated earlier, the One dental earplug is the one-stop shop for a customized earplug for dentists. At Big Ear Earplug Company, thorough research on earplugs enhances the production of the right kind of earplug any dentists would desire. The company ensures a dentist is comfortable in their earplugs, they provide after-purchase services where they trace the client’s progress. Finally, the earplug has two filters, the primary and the secondary filter. The primary filter prevents noise penetration from the environment whilst the secondary ensures only the natural noise such as of the patient penetrates to the inner ear of the dentist. Using the One dental earplug is the only safe way that guarantees a person total protection from tinnitus and hearing loss.

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