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Orthopaedic theatre noise: a potential hazard to patients
Author(s) -
Nott M. R.,
West P. D. B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2003.03257.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tinnitus , sound level meter , audiology , noise (video) , hearing loss , noise exposure , sound (geography) , noise level , medical emergency , acoustics , physics , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Summary Potentially hazardous noise levels are generated in the course of major orthopaedic surgery. The risk to staff is probably real but very small. We used a sound level meter to record maximum and mean levels and found peak values which exceeded 100 dB(A). If sustained, there is a possibility of significant inner ear damage and perhaps permanent troublesome tinnitus, especially among elderly and already hearing‐impaired patients. This could be eliminated by the use of ear defenders or disposable earplugs.
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