Auditory alterations and student knowledge and perception on noise at a dental teaching clinic

Abstract

Objective To identify auditory alterations in dentistry students and evaluate the level of knowledge in relation to noise-induced hearing loss. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study. Surveys applied to third-year students of the day school, and fourth-year students of the night stomatology school. The variables studied were auditory disorders and knowledge about NIHL (noise-induced hearing loss). Results Hearing disorders were found in 14.8% of the students, of whom 7.4% were receiving treatment. Audiometric examinations were performed in 28.4% of the students. It was also found that 24.6% of the students had relatives with hearing problems; 11.1% had pre-existing conditions; 49.3% needed repetition during a conversation; 34.4% felt irritated during practical classes and considered high rotation hand pieces to be the noisiest instrument; and 75.3% reported using hearing aids (72.1% for more than 5 years). With regard to knowledge, 93.8% said that dentists are professionals at risk of hearing loss due to noise, but 83.9% had not received guidance on NIHL. Regarding the hearing protector, 77.7% knew about it, but only 3.7% had used it. Conclusion Stomatology students have noise-induced hearing loss, and also considered that the places where practical classes are given are a noisy environment. More knowledge is needed in students about the negative consequences of noise in health and the use of preventive measures to avoid hearing loss in the long term.