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20Q: Occupational Audiometry

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1.  Which of the following agencies publishes “best practice” guidelines for occupational hearing conservation programs? National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Occupational Safety and Health Administration Federal Railroad Administration Mine Safety and Health Administration

2.  Which type of hearing test does NOT require that the test be performed after the worker has had a 14-hour “quiet period”? Baseline hearing test 30-day retest for an STS Annual/periodic monitoring hearing test 90-day retest for an STS

3.  Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of age corrections when determining a standard threshold shift “STS” according to the OSHA technical manual for inspectors? The use of age corrections is always required when determining an STS Newer population-based age adjustment tables can be used which account for differences in race/ethnicity as well as sex OSHA only recognizes the use of the original 1983 age correction tables Never use age corrections when determining an STS

4.  Which of the following statements is consistent with the definition of a “reportable” hearing loss according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)? A work-related hearing threshold change for the worse ear ≥ 15 dB from baseline at any test frequency (500–6000 Hz) MSHA uses a two-stage criterion: 1) the employee’s hearing tests reveal that the employee has experienced a work-related STS in one or both ears, and 2) the employee’s total hearing level is 25 dB or more above audiometric zero (averaged at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz) in the same ear(s) as the STS. A work-related change in hearing ≥ 10-dB average shift from baseline test hearing levels at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear A work-related change in hearing from the baseline audiogram shifts by 25 dB or more when calculating the average change at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz in either ear.

5.  Which of the following is NOT a reason for retest hearing thresholds to be improved when tested in the clinical sound-booth? Ambient noise levels may be quieter in the clinical sound-booth than in the occupational test environment. Occupational audiometers are calibrated to a different sound pressure level (SPL) reference level at each test frequency. Workers may have been exposed to high levels of noise prior to the periodic/annual hearing test conducted by the employer. Workers may have worn hearing protectors that did not fit well prior to the periodic/annual hearing test conducted by the employer.