ABA ABA Hearing Conservation & Occupational Audiology 2

Question 1

Which type of hearing protector generally provides the highest attenuation for workers exposed to very high-level impact noise?

Accepted Answer

Combined earmuffs and earplugs

Answer

Combining earmuffs with earplugs (dual protection) provides the greatest attenuation, typically adding about 5–10 dB beyond the higher-rated device alone.

Question 2

The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for occupational noise is:

Accepted Answer

85 dBA TWA8

Answer

NIOSH recommends an 85 dBA TWA8 REL with a 3 dB exchange rate, which is more protective than OSHA's 90 dBA PEL.

Question 3

Temporary threshold shift (TTS) after noise exposure typically shows maximum recovery within:

Accepted Answer

16–48 hours

Answer

TTS typically resolves within 16–48 hours after cessation of noise exposure; failure to fully recover suggests permanent threshold shift (PTS).

Question 4

Which ototoxic class of antibiotics is most associated with occupational synergistic hearing loss when combined with noise exposure?

Accepted Answer

Aminoglycosides

Answer

Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin, tobramycin) are cochleotoxic and their combined effect with noise exposure can produce greater hearing loss than either factor alone.

Question 5

In a hearing conservation program, audiometric monitoring must be repeated at minimum on what schedule for workers at or above the OSHA action level?

Accepted Answer

Annually

Answer

OSHA requires annual audiograms for all employees exposed at or above the 85 dBA TWA8 action level to monitor for progressive threshold shifts.

(ABA) American Board of Audiology Practice Test

(ABA) American Board of Audiology Practice Test

ABA ABA Hearing Conservation & Occupational Audiology 2