CAOHC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAOHC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What exchange rate does OSHA use for calculating noise dose? → 5 dB doubling rate
2. According to the OSHA standard, when must an employee who is included in a hearing conservation program receive their initial training? → Prior to or at the time of their first exposure at or above the action level.
3. What advantage do custom-molded earplugs offer over disposable foam plugs? → Consistent fit and attenuation due to being shaped to the individual ear canal
4. What type of sound wave is produced by a single frequency? → A pure tone
5. What term describes the number of complete cycles a sound wave completes per second? → Frequency
6. When reviewing an audiogram, which pattern most strongly suggests noise-induced hearing loss? → A notch at 4000 Hz with recovery at 8000 Hz
7. Which of the following is NOT a required core element of an OSHA-compliant Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) under 29 CFR 1910.95? → Mandatory job rotation for all employees exposed above the PEL.
8. Which of the following tasks falls WITHIN the recognized scope of an OHC's responsibilities? → Fitting and demonstrating hearing protection devices to workers
9. Which OSHA standard specifically addresses occupational noise exposure in general industry? → 29 CFR 1910.95
10. Which OSHA standard governs occupational noise exposure requirements for general industry employers? → 29 CFR 1910.95
11. Before taking noise measurements, what must be done to ensure accuracy? → Calibrate using an acoustic calibrator at the beginning and end of measurements
12. Under whose professional supervision must an OHC conduct audiometric testing per OSHA requirements? → A licensed audiologist or physician
13. What is the primary purpose of conducting an annual hearing conservation program review? → To evaluate program effectiveness and identify improvements
14. How do reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to chemical ototoxicity? → Ototoxic chemicals generate ROS that damage cochlear cell membranes and DNA
15. What is the primary role of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) in the hearing process? → It converts airborne sound pressure waves into mechanical vibrations
16. What is the primary goal of a hearing conservation program? → To prevent occupational hearing loss
17. What is the primary purpose of an audiometric test booth? → To reduce ambient noise to levels that allow valid hearing threshold measurements
18. Under OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment (29 CFR 1910.95), which finding most clearly requires referral to a physician or audiologist? → A confirmed Standard Threshold Shift (STS) of 10 dB average at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz
19. Which of the following describes a key challenge in establishing ototoxic chemical exposure limits? → Individual susceptibility varies widely, making a single safe limit difficult to define
20. What factor most commonly causes hearing protectors to provide less attenuation than their NRR indicates? → Improper fit and inconsistent wear by the user
21. Under OSHA's HCP requirements, how soon after initial assignment to noise-exposed work must a baseline audiogram be obtained? → Within 6 months
22. What type of transducer is most commonly used for standard occupational audiometry? → Supra-aural headphones such as TDH-39 or equivalent
23. Which part of the outer ear provides natural amplification of sounds in the 2,000-4,000 Hz range? → The ear canal due to its resonance properties
24. Who is responsible for ensuring hearing conservation training reaches all affected employees? → The employer, through the hearing conservation program administrator
25. Under OSHA's HCP requirements, which of the following must be provided to enrolled employees at no cost to them? → Audiometric testing and hearing protection devices
26. How should an HCP accommodate workers on rotating shifts? → By ensuring testing, training, and protector access are available across all shifts
27. Which of the following is a common engineering control used in hearing conservation programs to reduce noise exposure? → Sound barriers and dampening materials
28. What does the acronym TWA represent in the context of occupational noise exposure measurement? → Time-Weighted Average
29. What is the correct placement of color-coded audiometric headset earphones on the test subject? → Red on the right ear, blue on the left ear
30. What is an octave band analysis used for in a hearing conservation program? → To identify frequency content of workplace noise for selecting controls and protectors