Free CAOHC Audiometric Testing Procedures Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA regulations, which of the following is a required component for establishing a valid baseline audiogram?
- The employee must be tested within the first 30 days of employment.
- The test must be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. (Correct answer)
- Testing must include bone conduction thresholds at all frequencies.
- The employee must have a history of non-occupational noise exposure documented.
Correct answer: The test must be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise.
OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(iii) requires that baseline audiograms be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. This 'quiet period' is essential to allow for temporary threshold shifts to resolve, ensuring the baseline reflects the employee's true hearing threshold. Hearing protectors can be used as a substitute for this requirement.
Question 2: An employee's annual audiogram reveals an average threshold shift of 15 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in their right ear when compared to their baseline. What is the immediate next step for the Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC)?
- Immediately refer the employee to a physician for a medical evaluation.
- Record the shift as a permanent work-related injury on the OSHA 300 log.
- Schedule a retest within 30 days to determine if the shift is persistent. (Correct answer)
- Fit the employee with new, higher-rated hearing protection.
Correct answer: Schedule a retest within 30 days to determine if the shift is persistent.
OSHA defines a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) as an average change from baseline of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz. When an STS is identified, the recommended procedure is to retest within 30 days to confirm if the shift is temporary or persistent before taking further action like referral or recordkeeping.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a CAOHC-certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC) in the audiometric testing process?
- Conducting daily functional checks of the audiometer.
- Instructing the employee on the testing procedure.
- Diagnosing the cause of a hearing loss. (Correct answer)
- Calculating a Standard Threshold Shift (STS).
Correct answer: Diagnosing the cause of a hearing loss.
The scope of practice for an OHC does not include diagnosing medical conditions or the cause of hearing loss. That responsibility lies with a physician or audiologist. OHCs are trained to perform valid testing, identify potential problems (like an STS) for review by the Professional Supervisor, perform daily checks, and properly instruct the person being tested.
Question 4: A daily biological calibration check of the audiometer is performed using a human listener with known, stable hearing. The check reveals that the 1000 Hz tone is only audible to the listener at 20 dB HL, whereas their known threshold is 5 dB HL. What should the OHC do?
- Add 15 dB to all thresholds measured at 1000 Hz for that day.
- Proceed with testing as the deviation is minor.
- Stop using the audiometer and report the issue for an exhaustive calibration.
- Replace the headphones and repeat the biological check. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Replace the headphones and repeat the biological check.
A significant deviation on a daily check (typically >10 dB) indicates a potential equipment problem. Before assuming the audiometer itself is out of calibration, the OHC should troubleshoot common issues. A frequent source of problems is the equipment accessories. Replacing the headphones and repeating the check is a logical first step. If the problem persists, the audiometer should not be used until it is checked further.
Question 5: The maximum permissible ambient noise levels (MPANLs) for an audiometric test room are specified by which standard?
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95
- NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
- ANSI/ASA S3.1 (Correct answer)
- CAOHC Best Practices Guide
Correct answer: ANSI/ASA S3.1
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Acoustical Society of America (ASA) S3.1 standard specifies the maximum permissible ambient noise levels allowed in a test room to ensure that background noise does not interfere with the test and invalidate the threshold measurements.
Question 6: As an OHC, you are preparing to conduct an annual audiogram for a worker from the bottling line, a high-noise area. The worker arrives for their test directly from their shift. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?
- Proceed with the test but make a note that there was no quiet time.
- Reschedule the test to occur before the worker begins their next shift. (Correct answer)
- Ask the worker to wear hearing protection for 30 minutes before the test.
- Conduct the test and subtract 10 dB from all thresholds to account for TTS.
Correct answer: Reschedule the test to occur before the worker begins their next shift.
Annual audiograms, like baseline tests, should ideally be conducted when the employee is not experiencing a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS) from recent noise exposure. While the 14-hour quiet period is mandatory for baselines, it is best practice for annuals to minimize the influence of TTS. Testing before the start of a shift is the most effective way to achieve this. Proceeding with the test could lead to an invalid result, potentially showing a false STS.
Free CAOHC Audiometric Testing Procedures Questions and Answers 1
According to OSHA regulations, which of the following is a required component for establishing a valid baseline audiogram?