Noise levels of orthopedic instruments and their potential health risks.

Exposure to intense levels of noise has been identified as a potential workplace risk for the development of hearing impairment for health care workers. With this knowledge a noise level survey was performed on selected orthopedic equipment. Several instruments produced threshold levels of 95 dBA to 106 dBA. Often these levels remained as high as 90 dBA at 4 ft from the source. Based on the results of this survey, audiometric tests were conducted on five cast technicians to determine the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Audiometric measurements of the cast technicians indicated that, in the absence of other risk factors for hearing loss, there was an association between the presence of NIHL and the years of exposure. NIHL was most evident on the side of the dominant hand used for holding the cast cutter. These findings suggest there may be a risk of NIHL from the occupational exposure to various orthopedic instruments. Further, this level of risk may warrant the use of an individual hearing protection device or the development of quieter instruments.