An audiogram is a chart, graph, or table resulting from an audiometric test showing an individual's hearing threshold levels as a function of frequency. The chart, graph or table will list the frequencies (Hz) that are being tested and describes the frequency of a sound. For industrial audiograms, this is a minimum of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 6000 Hz. The response at each frequency is called the decibel threshold.

In a graph, "O" represents the responses of the right ear and "X" indicate the responses of the left ear. On a graph audiogram, the left side will indicate the decibels (dB) that correspond to the intensity of loudness of the sound. Audiometric Zero is the softest sound (dB) that is used when testing hearing for an industrial audiogram and 100 (dB) is the loudest sound tested.

What type of hearing test is required by OSHA?

Audiometric tests shall be pure tone, air conduction, hearing threshold examinations, with test frequencies including as a minimum 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. Tests at each frequency shall be taken separately for each ear. A device called an audiometer electronically generates "pure tones" of sound that vary in tone and volume. The test will determine the thresholds that an employee hears different frequencies. The employee indicates his ability to hear the sound by pressing a button that is recorded by the audiometer.

How long does the hearing test take?

Each of the HCI mobile units have 2 CAOHC Certified Technicians allowing two groups of employees to be cycled through the testing process at a time. To complete the hearing test history form and the OSHA required employee training if selected, takes approximately15 minutes. The hearing test takes approximately 20 minutes from start to finish. From the time the employee leaves his work station to the time he returns to his work station is a total of 40 minutes, with a new group of employees entering the process cycle every 20 minutes.

How many tests can be conducted in each session (4-hour block of time)?

For the standard audiometric testing and/or training program:
• Based on an 8-person mobile testing van, 96 employees can be tested per session
• Based on a 10-person mobile testing van, 120 employees can be tested per session
For the Testing, Notification, Training (TNT) program including employee counseling:
• Up to 64 employees can be tested per session

What is your minimum number of employees to test at a facility?

HCI does not require a minimum number of employees to test before we will provide mobile testing. The total cost associated with sending employees to a local clinic can include many factors in addition to the clinic charges and can often substantiate the cost of bringing a mobile unit on-site for testing. These hidden charges may include lost production time, employee travel time to the closest OSHA compliant clinic in many rural areas, limited ability to provide required services such as employee training, respirator testing, required documentation and accurate reporting of the test results. HCI will be happy to provide you with the information you will need to determine if it is cost effective to use the mobile van or a local clinic for testing.

How often are you in my area?

As a national provider of mobile testing services, our (15) mobile units are regionalized throughout the country. HCI tests in most areas of the country at least quarterly. In some of the less industrialized areas of the country, we test a couple times per year.

How do you test employees who speak different languages?

HCI's test forms are available in dual English/Spanish and English/French. The OSHA required employee training program and Employee Notification Letters are available in English and Spanish at the time of testing. The audiometers provide test instructions in more than 12 languages. Please contact HCI directly for a list of these languages.

Why is the OSHA required employee training not conducted on the mobile van but within the client's facility?

With each of the HCI mobile units staffed by 2 CAOHC Certified Technicians, this allowing two groups of employees to be cycled through the testing process at a time. One group in the client's facility completing the audiometric test form and OSHA required employee training if selected; and the other group in the mobile van completing their hearing test. This method allows HCI to provide testing for larger groups in employees in less time, reducing costs and disruptions to the employer's production schedules.

How long does it take to receive my report?

At the completion of testing, reports of the employees tested, not tested and an initial report of those employees that experienced a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) and OSHA Potential Recordable Shift are left with the contact at the facility. Depending on which report delivery option is selected by the client, a paper copy of the report is shipped to the plant within 7- 10 business days or an electronic copy is emailed within 3-7 business days.

What is a standard threshold shift?

A standard threshold shift (STS) is an adverse change in hearing thresholds when compared to the referent baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear. In determining whether a standard threshold shift has occurred, allowance may be made for the contribution of aging (presbycusis) to the change in hearing level by correcting the annual audiogram according to the procedure described in Appendix F: "Calculation and Application of Age Correction to Audiograms" of the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 regulation.

What is an OSHA Recordable Shift?

If an employee has experienced a standard threshold shift (STS), it must be determined if the employee's overall hearing level is 25 dB or more in the ear that the shift occurred in. Using the employee's current audiogram, if the average hearing level at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz is equal to or greater than 25dB, the employee meets the criteria for an OSHA Recordable Shift.

Why use the word "Potential" when referring to an OSHA Recordable Shift?

OSHA allows retesting to eliminate recording of temporary shifts. If you retest the employee's hearing within 30 days of the first test, and the retest does not confirm the recordable STS, you are not required to record the hearing loss case on the OSHA 300 Log. If the retest confirms the recordable STS, you must record the hearing loss illness within seven (7) calendar days of the retest. If subsequent audiometric testing performed under the testing requirements of the � 1910.95 noise standard indicates that an STS is not persistent, you may erase or line-out the recorded entry. If a physician or other licensed health care professional determines that the hearing loss is not work-related or has not been significantly aggravated by occupational noise exposure, you are not required to consider the case work-related or to record the case on the OSHA 300 Log.

Should employees be tested with their hearing aid?

Employees are to be tested without their hearing aid(s). The purpose of the audiometric testing is to measure the effectiveness of the hearing conservation program in place at the facility. Therefore, it is the hearing level of the employee that is being measured and not the effectiveness of the hearing aid.

How do I send test results performed locally to HCI to be processed?

For your convenience, test results can be submitted in one of three ways:

	Mailed to HCI at: Health Conservation, Inc. Attn: IT Department 415 Financial Court Rockford, IL 61107
	Faxed to HCI at: 815-964-0346 Or 815-964-4469 Attn: IT Department
	Emailed in a PDF Format to: it@hcihealth.com Please include a cover page that clearly states your company name with address and the audiogram includes the test type (annual, retest, baseline), employee name and identification or social security number.

How do I find a clinic for make-up annual tests and retests?

Contact your local clinic and inquire if they perform industrial audiograms. Confirm that the clinic meets the following requirements:

	Audiometric tests shall be pure tone, air conduction, hearing threshold examinations, with test frequencies including as a minimum 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. Tests at each frequency shall be taken separately for each ear.
	Audiometric tests shall be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other physician, or by a technician who is certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC), or who has satisfactorily demonstrated competence in administering audiometric examinations, obtaining valid audiograms, and properly using, maintaining and checking calibration and proper functioning of the audiometers being used. A technician who operates microprocessor audiometers does not need to be certified. A technician who performs audiometric tests must be responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or physician.
	Audiometer calibration shall be checked acoustically at least annually in accordance with Appendix E: "Acoustic Calibration of Audiometers." Test frequencies below 500 Hz and above 6000 Hz may be omitted from this check. Deviations of 15 decibels or greater require an exhaustive calibration.
	Audiometric examinations shall be administered in a room meeting the requirements listed in Appendix D: "Audiometric Test Rooms."

For additional help in locating a clinic locally to perform OSHA compliant testing, please contact the HCI office.

What if an employee declines an audiometric test?

OSHA's Noise standard requires only that audiometric testing be made available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA. Some companies include the audiometric testing as a condition of employment so please check your company specific policy. You should be aware, however, that the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) places certain limitations on employer required medical examinations. Among other things, such examinations must be shown to be job related and consistent with business necessity. If the employee declines the audiometric test, we recommend you have the employee sign a waiver form as documentation.

I am a potential new client, who should I call or email to learn more about HCI and your services?

You can contact our Sales office via telephone at: (815) 964-4465 Ext. 123. You can also email inquiries to: inquiries@hcihealth.com.

415 Financial Court

Rockford, IL 61107

(800) 435-8313