We’ve been talking a lot lately about OSHA’s Hearing Conservation Program, mostly due to the influx of Regional Emphasis Programs we’ve seen involving it lately. The program involves more than just noise sampling and providing hearing protection – there’s also a medical component.

When an employer determines they need to participate in the conservation program, one of the first steps to take is finding a healthcare provider that can perform audiograms, or audiometric testing.  A “baseline” or initial test will need to be performed on affected employees. This provides a starting point that future audiograms can be compared to, and will show if the employee is experiencing any changes in their hearing abilities. Baseline testing must be performed within six months of an employee’s initial exposure to sound levels exceeding 85 decibels (dB) over an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exceptions can be made on the time frame for the baselines if the employer utilizes a mobile testing unit. For baseline and annual testing, the worker should not be exposed to workplace noise for 14 hours prior to the audiogram.

 Employees’ annual audiograms should always be completed within one year of the baseline or previous year’s test. Employers should compare the annual test results to the baseline results to determine if the employee has lost hearing ability or experienced a standard threshold shift (STS). Not everyone responsible for this kind of compliance feels qualified or comfortable doing this, so don’t hesitate to ask for help and guidance from your occupational healthcare provider or audiologist who performed the exams. An STS means a shift in either ear of 10 dB or more at 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 hertz. Identifying these shifts as early as possible is vital to preserving the remaining integrity of that employee’s hearing.

If a worker does experience an STS, you’re required to notify them within 21 days. You’ll also need to fit or refit them with proper hearing protection, show them how to use and care for it, and reiterate the requirement to wear them in the workplace. Sometimes when an employee shows an STS, repeat or additional testing and exams might be necessary to find out if they may have an ear problem that is caused or aggravated by the hearing protection they’ve been using. If there’s an issue unrelated to workplace noise or their hearing protection, you should advise them to see a physician.

If you have additional questions about your company’s hearing conservation program, you can contact our safety department at 440-249-5284 or reach out to your occupational healthcare partner.