Prevalencia de hipoacusia y factores de riesgo asociados en los estudiantes de quinto a décimo ciclo de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Cuenca, 2015-2016

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss and associated risk factors among students in fifth to tenth cycle of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Cuenca, 2015-2016.

METHODOLOGY: Descriptive cross sectional study. The sample consisted of 135 students of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Cuenca, who were applied a survey and audiological examination by audiometry. The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS 20.00 program, and graphs and tables used in Excel 2010.

RESULTS: The results obtained were as follows:

Of 135 students, the 45% consisting of the male and 55% female; 95.6% with a diagnosis of normal hearing, 1.5% with mild sensorineural hearing loss, 0.7% with moderate sensorineural hearing loss and 2.2% with mild conductive hearing loss. All students diagnosed with hearing loss, are exposed to noise generated by the dental equipment, 5 days a week and 5 to 8hours daily.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that prolonged exposure to noise generated in the dentistry practice is a risk factor that decreases the function of the auditory system. Students do not know about the importance of hearing care versus risk factors; this condition increases the probability of developing hearing loss at an early age and without being diagnosed opportunely