Dental Innovations LLC recently introduced the DI-15 Electronic Earplug. According to the company, the high-frequency equipment noise that is unavoidable for dental clinicians can gradually damage the hair cells in the inner ear, producing tinnitus and hearing loss. Published studies show poorer hearing in dental professionals compared to non-noise-exposed medical professionals. In addition, the American Dental Association recommends utilizing hearing protection when using dental equipment.
The DI-15 electronic earplugs’ circuitry automatically changes output levels as sound input levels change, which means that as environmental sound becomes unsafe, the earplugs lower sound to safer levels. They provide natural hearing levels when it is safe, so there’s no need to remove them to hear clearly. The high-fidelity earplugs contain high-definition transducers: balanced-armature drivers, high-sensitivity microphones, and advanced adaptive compression signal processing.
The earplugs were developed for Dental Innovations by Etymotic Research Inc, Elk Grove Village, Ill, which received the Safe-in-Sound™ award for pioneering technical expertise and innovation in hearing loss prevention (presented jointly by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the National Hearing Conservation Association).
