hearing

10 Hearing Conservation Manual OSHA Noise Exposure Limits Time (Hours) Acceptable Levels (dBA TWA) 16.00 85 8.00 90 4.00 95 2.00 100 1.00 105 0.50 110 0.25 or less 115 Medical Surveillance Medical surveillance will consist of audiometric testing (hearing tests) administered by the Occupational Medicine Office (Occ Med) located in G11 Technical and Administrative Services Facility (TASF), 2408 Pammel Drive . Audiometric testing is available at no cost to all employees in the Hearing Conservation Program. Hearing tests are performed by a licensed professional or certified technician (certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation). Audiometric testing by a certified technician A baseline audiogram must be provided within six months of initial employment and an annual audiogram is required thereafter. Employees will be notified of the need to avoid high noise levels (≥ 85 TWA) for at least 14 hours prior to the hearing examination (HPDs may be used). An annual audiogram is evaluated to determine if an employee has experienced a standard threshold shift (STS). An STS is the reduction in hearing at several frequencies. If an STS is diagnosed, an employee will be notified of the hearing loss within 21 days and notified within 30 days if a retest is necessary (see Appendices I and II ) . If further examination is necessary, hearing will be retested and pertinent information about noise exposures will be obtained from the employee. Occ Med will then determine if a Physician’s Examiners Report or a referral for a clinical audiological evaluation is necessary. Employees with an STS will be refitted and trained again on the use of hearing protection. For employees with an STS, noise attenuation with a hearing protection device (HPD) must be <85 dBA TWA. Employees exposed to >85 dBA TWA must 1. Be included in Hearing Conservation Program 2. Receive information on noise hazards in the workplace 3. Be trained on protection devices 4. Receive annual hearing tests and follow-up care when hearing loss occurs Occupational Medicine is located in G11 TASF, 2408 Pammel Drive