Identificación de factores asociados a la pérdida de capacidad auditiva en estudiantes, docentes y auxiliares de odontología

Introduction:Continuous exposure to noise in the work environment, generated during clinical care, affects the hearing capacity of dental staff. However, there are other characteristics that could be associated with a greater expression of this condition. Objective: Identify factors associated with hearing capacity in students, teachers and assistants of a dental school. Material and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study; participants were randomly selected and people with a clinical diagnosis of hereditary hearing loss or prior to the start of professional or student practice were excluded. Noise measurements were made in the work environment and audiometric evaluations. The association between hearing capacity and the independent variables was evaluated with Chi2 or Fisher’s Exact Test (statistical significance p <0.05). A predictive model for hearing loss is proposed. Results: 193 participants were included, 35.8% had a slight or moderate decrease in their hearing capacity (37.2% students and 30% in teaching assistants). There were no differences between students and teachers / assistants or between the right and left ears. Conclusion: The years of clinical experience, the semester attended and the history of tinnitus predict the appearance of hearing loss.