Evaluation of Noise Exposure Levels in Pediatric ENT Operating Rooms

Authors

Leyn Shakhtour, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Sophia Song, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Nicklas C. Orobello, Department of Otolaryngology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Tracey Ambrose, Department of Otolaryngology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Md Sohel Rana, Division of Surgery, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Hengameh K. Behzadpour, Department of Otolaryngology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Brian K. Reilly, Department of Otolaryngology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-17-2024

Journal

Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

DOI

10.1002/ohn.857

Keywords

hearing loss PS/QI; noise‐induced hearing loss; operative room noise; pediatric otolaryngology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Operating room (OR) sounds may surpass noise exposure thresholds and induce hearing loss. Noise intensity emitted by various surgical instruments during common pediatric otolaryngologic procedures were compared at the ear-level of the surgeon and patient to evaluate the need for quality improvement measures. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Single tertiary care center. METHODS: Noise levels were measured using the RISEPRO Sound Level Meter and SoundMeter X 10.0.4 at the ear level of surgeon and patient every 5 minutes. Operative procedure and instrument type were recorded. Measured noise levels were compared against ambient noise levels and the Apple Watch Noise application. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-two total occasions of noise were recorded across 62 surgical cases. Cochlear implantation surgery produces the loudest case at the ear-level of the patient (91.8 Lq Peak dB; P < .001). The otologic drill was the loudest instrument for the patient (92.1 Lq Peak dB; P < .001), while the powered microdebrider was the loudest instrument for the surgeon (90.7 Lq Peak dB; P = .036). Noise measurements between surgeon and patient were similar (P < .05). Overall agreement between the Noise application and Sound Level Meter was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.8, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.32 to 0.92). CONCLUSION: Otolaryngology OR noises can surpass normal safe thresholds. Failure to be aware of this may unwittingly expose providers to noise-related hearing loss. Mitigation strategies should be employed. Quality improvement measures, including attention to surgical instrument volume settings and periodic decibel measurements with sound applications, can promote long-term hearing conservation. DISCUSSION: Otolaryngology OR noises can surpass normal safe thresholds. Failure to be aware of this may unwittingly expose providers to noise-related hearing loss. The duration, frequency of exposure, and volume levels of noise should be studied further. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Mitigation strategies should be employed. Quality improvement measures, including attention to surgical instrument volume settings and periodic decibel measurements with sound applications, can promote long-term hearing conservation.

APA Citation

Shakhtour, Leyn; Song, Sophia; Orobello, Nicklas C.; Ambrose, Tracey; Rana, Md Sohel; Behzadpour, Hengameh K.; and Reilly, Brian K., "Evaluation of Noise Exposure Levels in Pediatric ENT Operating Rooms" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5092.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5092

Department

Surgery