Thank you surdi for your last three contributions and the substantiation through the supplied very relevant and interesting publications. I needed some time to read them carefully. An extensive discussion is possible on this to go into detail on these pieces. Probably more suitable for a dialogue among us nurds with Zoom or Skype or scientific publications than under this topic, which was started by mazda4me and asks for the answer to the more practical question “Remove hearing aids before panoramic dental x-ray?”. But personally I am very happy with your information.
The scientific value of this cannot be underestimated. The implications that the interface has among technical developers and users cannot be endorsed enough. The practical value for the HA user and audiologist and the user should be paramount here.
The X-ray beam used in a dental panoramic x-ray is a very special one compared to a CT and/or conventional examination. A special kind of ‘tomographic imaging’ is used. A cut slice with a depth of field/focus of a few centimeters centered along the line of the teeth. Various techniques are used to achieve the correct flat kV by means of tube voltage and focusing, including filters. And the exposure time is also very limited locally along the row of teeth. Of course, earrings, pearcings and HA are generally removed.
In practice this would mean that the radiation damage to the HAs is present. However, this is also unavoidable in nature: think of the use of aircraft at height and radiation from buildings in which we live.
As is also apparent from the articles you quoted, the Fail Bit Ratio of the memory used by the HA is undesirable, but does not necessarily have to lead to loss of function. However, it cannot be ruled out and has not to be ignored.
Even if you take the HA off for an OPT/dental panoramic x-ray, where would you like to put them safely in an x-ray dept at that moment? The same applies to your mobile phone, your creditcard and all other goods containing these chips.
By the way Surdi to go into one of your questions Computed Tomography exists in many forms. Multiple beams, but also multi energy/kV and automatic current adjustment. The more money, the more setting options in general.
In conclusion: If you are unlucky, your HAs will eventually break with or without dental panoramic x-ray. The chance this will happen is not very big, but do not take unnecesary risks. You will most of the time be asked to take them off because they can negatively influence the diagnostic value due to the disturbed imaging. In addition, this examination/potential risk is not done without a solid indication.
