ABA Hearing Conservation & Occupational Audiology Flashcards
6 cards from real ABA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ABA Hearing Conservation & Occupational Audiology flashcards as text
Which type of hearing protector generally provides the highest attenuation for workers exposed to very high-level impact noise?
Answer: Combined earmuffs and earplugs
Combining earmuffs with earplugs (dual protection) provides the greatest attenuation, typically adding about 5–10 dB beyond the higher-rated device alone.
The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for occupational noise is:
Answer: 85 dBA TWA8
NIOSH recommends an 85 dBA TWA8 REL with a 3 dB exchange rate, which is more protective than OSHA's 90 dBA PEL.
Temporary threshold shift (TTS) after noise exposure typically shows maximum recovery within:
Answer: 16–48 hours
TTS typically resolves within 16–48 hours after cessation of noise exposure; failure to fully recover suggests permanent threshold shift (PTS).
Which ototoxic class of antibiotics is most associated with occupational synergistic hearing loss when combined with noise exposure?
Answer: Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin, tobramycin) are cochleotoxic and their combined effect with noise exposure can produce greater hearing loss than either factor alone.
In a hearing conservation program, audiometric monitoring must be repeated at minimum on what schedule for workers at or above the OSHA action level?
Answer: Annually
OSHA requires annual audiograms for all employees exposed at or above the 85 dBA TWA8 action level to monitor for progressive threshold shifts.
Which engineering control is the most preferred approach in the hierarchy of noise controls?
Answer: Substitution of a quieter process or equipment
The hierarchy of noise controls prioritizes elimination and substitution at the top, making substitution of quieter machinery the most preferred engineering approach.