USDA/ARS/NORTH ATLANTIC AREA 
HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
 
{Location Name}
{Address}
{Date} 

 

  

 

 

If you have questions on the content of this program document, please contact your Safety Officer, Cluster Environmental Protection Specialist, or Area Safety & Health Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction                             	3
2.0 Statement of Commitment 	4
3.0 Responsibilities 	5
4.0 Noise Surveys/Personnel Monitoring Descriptions 	7
5.0 Determination of Affected Personnel/Job Descriptions 	8
6.0 Audiometric Testing 	9
7.0 Engineering & Administrative Controls 	11
8.0 Hearing Protection 	12
9.0 Employee Training 	14
10.0 Recordkeeping Requirements 	15
11.0 Definitions 	16
APPENDICES 	18
OSHA Occupational Noise Standard and Amendments (29 CFR 1910.95)

 

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Due to the potential for employee noise exposure in certain work areas and during the performance of certain job tasks, the USDA/ARS/North Atlantic Area (NAA) Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) has been established to meet the requirements of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standard "Occupational Exposure to Noise" Part 1910.95 and The Hearing Conservation Amendment as published in the Federal Register on March 8, 1983. These criteria are designed for those NAA personnel who, during their normal work duties, experience an Occupational Noise Exposure. An Occupational Noise Exposure is an exposure to noise at specific levels for specific durations that trigger the need for engineering control, administrative control, and/or the use of personal protective equipment. The highest average sound level a worker can be exposed to is 90 decibels (dBA) averaged over an 8-hour workday. When this work environment is identified, employee exposure will be reduced through the use of:
1.	Engineering controls (e.g. installing noise mufflers, increasing maintenance and repair, using quieter machines, enclosing noisy areas, and changing the equipment or process). 
2.	Administrative controls (e.g. rotating workers duties to decrease exposure time, posting signs in high noise areas, and requiring the use of hearing protectors). 
3.	Personal protective equipment (e.g. ear muffs and ear plugs). Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be used only when administrative and/or engineering controls fail to effectively reduce noise exposures, during implementation of engineering controls, or when engineering controls are not feasible. 
If a worker is exposed to an average sound level of 85 dBA over an 8-hour day, then a Hearing Conservation Program will be implemented. Under the Hearing Conservation Program, this Location must:
1.	Develop and implement a noise exposure-monitoring program. 
2.	Notify employees of any noise exposure above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. 
3.	Provide employees with the opportunity to observe noise measurements. 
4.	Establish an audiometric testing program. 
5.	Provide employees with appropriate hearing protection. 
6.	Institute an annual noise-training program that discusses the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors, and the purpose of audiometric testing. 
7.	Provide access to noise information and training materials. 
8.	Maintain records of employee exposure measurements. 
This HCP consists of several parts, all of which are equally important in assuring maximum protection for all employees potentially exposed to noise. For this HCP to work to its maximum potential, all levels of management and staff of this Location are committed to achieving the goals of the program, which are the reduction of exposure to noise in the workplace and the protection of employees from noise-related ailments. This HCP is intended to be a dynamic document that will continually evolve and change over time. It will be revised in response to new regulatory requirements and/or to reflect problems or changes encountered in work areas or work processes as they occur. This HCP will be reviewed annually by this Location to assure that it is technically current and efficiently serving its intended purpose.
 
2.0 STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
 The NAA Safety, Health, & Environmental Management Office develops, implements, and manages safety and health programs for all NAA personnel. The control of safety and health hazards at NAA Locations is accomplished primarily through the implementation of engineering controls, work practices, and administrative controls. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to supplement these controls or whenever the controls are not feasible or are in the process of being implemented. This HCP is established to minimize employee exposure to the hazards of high noise levels. The program includes provisions for conducting noise level surveys, employee exposure monitoring, employee training & education, audiometric testing & evaluation, proper fitting and use of hearing protective devices, and record keeping. This written program establishes the procedures and requirements necessary to meet established standards and federal regulations for exposures to high noise levels and to provide the necessary health and safety protection to those falling within the jurisdiction of the program. 
 It is NAA policy that, in the control of occupational exposure to noise, the primary objective shall be to prevent and/or control workplace exposures to noise to technically feasible limits. Primary controls for noise exposures shall be engineering controls, such as proper maintenance and isolation of noise-generating equipment, and administrative controls, such as changes in work procedures and training.
 As mandated by OSHA in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Section 1910.95, the NAA has developed, reviewed, and approved this HCP. This HCP, a copy of which shall be made available to all employees who may be required to work in elevated noise areas, standardizes and formalizes all aspects of hearing protection and noise reduction at this Location.
 In order to assure the continued effectiveness of all aspects of this program, and to deal with and incorporate any problems encountered or changes in regulations or technology, this HCP shall be routinely evaluated by Location management, the Location Program Administrator, and other interested or involved parties.
 Failure on the part of an employee to comply with the policies and procedures as set forth in this document may result in reprimand or termination of employment. 

3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
 The HCP is administered by the NAA Safety, Health, & Environmental Management Office. The Area Safety & Health Manager (ASHM), Cluster Environmental Protection Specialist (CEPS), Safety & Occupational Health Specialist (SOHS), Collateral Duty Safety Officer (CDSO), or their designees provide all support services, noise exposure monitoring, evaluation, training, and record keeping for the HCP. They also provide advice for purchasing, fitting, and evaluating all on-site hearing protection devices.
The ASHM, CEPS, SOHS, & CDSO are responsible for ensuring appropriate and periodic noise exposure monitoring to identify employees who fall under the HCP. This is accomplished by performing initial area noise monitoring in areas where high noise levels are present and then conducting personal noise exposure monitoring in areas where noise levels may exceed the action limit of 85 dBA and where employees spend a substantial amount of time during their work day. The ASHM, CEPS, SOHS, & CDSO also provide instruction on the need for hearing protection, the criteria for selecting hearing protection devices, and the fitting, use, and maintenance of such devices. They conduct required annual training of the Hearing Conservation Program and work jointly with the Location to schedule training. They identify high noise areas where labeling and signage is required and maintain noise exposure records. The ASHM, CEPS, SOHS, & CDSO coordinate an audiometric testing program for hearing conservation with the Location Administrative Officer (LAO) and the designated Occupational Medical Surveillance Program (OMSP) Provider.
The Occupational Medical Surveillance Program (OMSP) Provider is responsible for providing required audiometric testing, record keeping, and meeting requirements of the audiometric testing program under OSHA 1910.95
The Center Director, Laboratory Director, Location Coordinator, & Research Leader(s) are responsible for being kept informed of all areas under their jurisdiction where potential noise exposures exist and shall initiate protection programs that adhere to the HCP requirements. They will assure that applicable HCP requirements for Location employees under their supervision are adhered to. They will ensure that all employees within the Hearing Conservation Program attend the required audiometric testing and follow-up exams as necessary and will ensure mandatory employee participation in annual hearing conservation training. 
The Supervisor in charge of a research project, maintenance, administrative service, or other activity where hearing protective devices are or may be required is responsible for identifying, with the assistance of the ASHM/CEPS/SOHS/CDSO, those employees who may need hearing protective devices and then the subsequent scheduling of employees for required training under the HCP. The Supervisor will request assistance from the ASHM/CEPS/SOHS/CDSO in evaluating new operations that may introduce new or additional noise exposures, will enforce the use of hearing protective devices and other requirements when applicable, and will keep the Center Director, Laboratory Director, Location Coordinator, & Research Leader(s) informed of any actions proposed or taken regarding the HCP.
The Employee is responsible for utilizing the issued hearing protective devices in accordance with the instruction and training provided. This includes maintaining the hearing protection in a clean and ready-to-use condition at all times. The employee will inform his/her supervisor of any personal health problems that could be aggravated by the use of hearing protective devices, and use only those brands and types of hearing protection for which they have been trained and fitted. Employees will attend annual hearing conservation training and will participate in audiometric testing.
The Location HCP Administrator should be a person trained and experienced in dealing with hearing-related problems and questions, or should be in a position to contact the NAA Safety, Health, & Environmental Management Office for assistance in dealing with these situations. The Location Administrator may be responsible for purchasing and maintenance of hearing protective devices, and will be responsible for the upkeep of Location HCP-related documents. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, the Program Administrator will help ensure that Location employees who are required to use hearing protection are doing so. 
 To assure that all aspects of the HCP are fully implemented, and to serve as a resource for employees, this Location has designated as the Location Hearing Conservation Program Administrator. 
 
4.0 NOISE SURVEYS/PERSONNEL MONITORING
Initial noise monitoring is conducted utilizing either a sound level meter or a noise dosimeter. A space inventory plan (floor plan) is used for recording noise levels throughout the Location in areas where elevated noise levels are found. Sources that produce high noise levels are identified and demarcated on the floor plan. Noise level measurements are taken and recorded at various locations and distances from the source. Typically a north-south-east-west, 2' - 4' - 8' - 16' measurement interval strategy is used. When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA, the Location shall develop and implement a noise exposure monitoring program. The sampling strategy shall be designed to identify employees who are exposed to noise levels that meet or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Personal exposure monitoring is conducted utilizing a noise dosimeter worn by the employee throughout his/her work shift. The noise exposure data is reviewed and evaluated by a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Monitoring shall be repeated whenever a change in the research process occurs, when equipment or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level, or when the attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be rendered inadequate to meet the requirements of this program.
 The Location shall notify in writing each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels of the results of the monitoring. The Location shall provide copies of results for all employees exposed at or above the 85 dBA TWA and shall provide affected employees or their union representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted. 
 
Based on results of area noise monitoring, elevated noise areas (having measured noise levels above the action level of 85 dBA) will be posted with signs warning of elevated noise levels and of the need for hearing protection use while in the area. Signs for this purpose are available for purchase from a number of industrial suppliers. 
 It is recommended that noise surveys be conducted every three (3) years, or when significant engineering changes are made to the Location or to operations within the Location.
 
5.0 DETERMINATION OF AFFECTED PERSONNEL/JOB DESCRIPTIONS
 Based on prior personnel dosimetry and area noise mapping, the following areas of the Location are designated as elevated noise areas, and employees spending any amount of time working in these areas will be subject to inclusion in the HCP:
 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Due to the nature of their jobs, which may involve movement through all areas of the Location, supervisors and maintenance personnel may also be included in the HCP at the discretion of the Program Administrator.
 Hearing protection will be made available to employees in other work areas not listed above if there is concern on their part that noise from adjacent areas is disturbing to them in their own work areas.
 Employees performing non-routine work tasks at the Location, which have not been monitored during workplace surveys, will be required to use hearing protection at the discretion of their supervisor or the Program Administrator.
 Hearing protection will be issued to the employees during HCP training (as discussed in Section 7).

 
6.0 AUDIOMETRIC TESTING
 The Location OMSP Provider shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as required by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA. The program shall be provided at no cost to employees. Each employee's annual audiogram shall be compared to that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if a standard threshold shift has occurred. A standard threshold shift is a change in hearing, relative to the baseline audiogram, of 10 dBA or more at 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz in either ear. If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has suffered a standard threshold shift, the Location OMSP Provider may obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram. If a standard threshold shift is indicated, the employee shall be informed of this fact in writing within 21 days of the determination. Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the Location shall ensure that the following steps are taken when a standard threshold shift occurs:
1.	Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and be required to use them. 
2.	Employees already using hearing protectors shall be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation as needed. 
3.	The employee shall be referred for a clinical audiological evaluation or an otological examination, as appropriate, if additional testing is necessary or if the employer suspects that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by the wearing of hearing protectors. 
If subsequent audiometric testing of an employee whose exposure to noise is less than an 8-hour TWA of 90 dBA indicates that a standard threshold shift is not persistent, the employer shall inform the employee of the new audiometric interpretation. Audiometric testing will be performed annually for all employees included in the Hearing Conservation Program. As a minimum this includes all employees whose TWA exposure exceeds 85 dBA.
 All audiometric testing will be performed in accordance with the procedures and equipment requirements contained in the Appendices to the OSHA Occupational Noise Exposure standard. In accordance with OSHA regulations, audiometric testing shall be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, Otolaryngologist or other physician certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, or by a certified technician responsible to one of the previously-noted hearing testing professionals. This is to assure that testing will be performed in the proper manner and that results are interpreted correctly. The Location’s OMSP Provider is.
 
An audiogram will be obtained for each new employee within six months of the start of any work that may expose the employee at or above the action level 85 dBA. New employees must wear hearing protection if they have the potential to be exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA during the period between hiring and audiometric testing. This "baseline" audiogram serves as the basis for comparison for future audiometric testing. 
Prior to performance of audiometric testing, this Location will provide the OMSP Provider with the following:
•	A copy of the OSHA Hearing Conservation Standard and Appendices 

•	The baseline audiogram for the employee(s) being tested, along with other past audiograms 
•	
Documentation of measured and/or expected noise in the employee's work area 
 Employees scheduled for audiometric testing must not be exposed to elevated noise levels for a period of at least fourteen (14) hours prior to testing. This is to prevent invalidation of the hearing test by temporary hearing threshold shift caused by workplace noise exposure. Hearing protection may be used to achieve the 14-hour noise free period if the employee must work during a period prior to the audiometric testing. The employee will be advised to refrain from exposure to elevated noise levels off the job for the 14-hour period prior to the test (non-occupational sources of noise may include the shooting of guns or exposure to loud music).
 It is recommended that a "Hearing History" be completed before the audiogram is taken. This will be used to obtain information from the employee in regard to past hearing-related problems, and will also determine if the employee is subjected, in his/her opinion, to loud noise on the job. Off-the-job noise exposures, such as those from hobbies (e.g. hunting) can also be documented.
 The OMSP Provider and the ARS Medical Review Officer (MRO) overseeing the audiometric testing portion of the HCP will evaluate results of the annual audiogram. The OMSP Provider and MRO will look for marked problems with the annual audiogram, and will compare the annual audiogram to the baseline and other previously obtained audiograms to determine if a "Standard Threshold Shift" (STS) has occurred. A standard threshold shift is a change in hearing, relative to the baseline audiogram, of 10 dBA or more at 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz in either ear. It is ARS policy that no age correction will be applied to standard threshold shift determination.
 If problems and/or significant changes are noted in an employee's audiogram, the employee will be notified, in writing, within 21 days of the determination of the problem.
 It will be the policy of this Location to re-test any employee who exhibits a threshold shift as soon as possible after determination of the shift. This retest will be performed in an effort to determine if the shift is as a result of a temporary hearing problem (loud noise exposure immediately prior to audiometric testing) or is indicative of a physical hearing problem. 
 
Based upon the evaluation of the audiogram and review of the employee's work area noise levels, it may be possible to determine if any change in hearing is work related. If it is determined to be work related, this Location will take steps to ensure that no further change in the employee's hearing occurs, by way of issue and fitting of hearing protection (if not previously provided to the employee), or re-training and re-fitting of hearing protection for employees who have been issued such equipment. It may be necessary to re-evaluate the type of hearing protection being used by an employee if an audiogram shows changes in hearing despite the use of hearing protection. 
 The baseline audiogram will be revised when it is found that changes, either for the better or for the worse, are present. Changes in baseline can be as a result of a persistent standard threshold shift, or when hearing from a follow-up audiogram shows an improvement in hearing over the baseline.
 As with other injuries and illnesses, OSHA requires that occupational hearing loss, whether an injury or illness, be recorded on the OSHA Form 200 according to the Record-Keeping Guidelines for Occupation Injuries and Illnesses. In order to improve consistency or recording, OSHA issued a memorandum in June 1991 to regional administrators that clarified the agency’s position on recording occupational hearing loss on Form 200. In the memorandum, OSHA defined a recordable "hearing loss" as an average shift in the hearing of 25 db or more at 2,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz in either ear, if an exposure in the work environment either caused, aggravated, or contributed to the case. Some state OSHA offices use more stringent criteria, such as work related shifts in hearing of 10 dBA or more (standard threshold shift). 
 
7.	ENGINEERING & ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS 
The use of feasible engineering and administrative controls to reduce employee exposure to high noise levels are considered very important and will be given the highest priority status. This Location will identify areas that may require engineering controls to reduce high noise levels. Engineering controls used to reduce actual noise levels at the source will be given higher priority than the use of administrative controls. Administrative controls may be utilized if engineering controls are not feasible.
 Engineering controls are ways of changing and/or controlling worker exposure by modifying noise sources or making other physical changes in order to reduce noise emission. Engineering controls may include: 
o	Use of baffles or other noise-damping structures in a work area  
o	Enclosure of noise-generating equipment  
o	Enclosure of workers performing stationary tasks in noisy areas  
o	Isolation, modification or damping of noisy or vibrating equipment  
o	Preventive maintenance on equipment to reduce noise emissions  
o	Replacement of noisy equipment 
 
Administrative controls are methods of controlling noise exposure by changing work routines or worker habits, with the end goal of reducing noise exposure. Administrative controls may include: 
o	Reduction of length of time that noisy work is performed  
o	Remove workers not involved in noisy work from elevated noise areas 
 
During noise surveys performed at this Location, the Program Administrator will attempt to identify all major noise sources. Documentation will also be kept as to existing noise control measures.
 This Location will strive to keep all equipment currently on-site in proper working condition, and will implement or adjust a preventive maintenance program to assure that equipment is not creating excess noise due to damage, age, or other factors.
 This Location will also attempt, when purchasing equipment and/or tools, to minimize noise exposure to employees by specifying low noise or noise-controlled equipment and/or tools.
 When setting up or renovating work areas where noise exposures are expected, this Location will apply feasible noise control methods to limit worker exposures as part of the design process.
  
8.0 HEARING PROTECTION
 This Location shall make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA or greater at no cost to employees. It should also be noted that all employees exposed to noise levels in excess of 80 dBA be given hearing protective devices and associated training at no cost to employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary. Hearing protectors shall also be provided to any employee who has not yet had a baseline audiogram established and/or who has experienced a standard threshold shift. Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors. This Location shall provide training in the use and care of all hearing protectors provided to employees. The Supervisor shall ensure the correct use of all hearing protectors.
 
In order to control occupational noise exposures beyond levels available by way of engineering and/or administrative controls, or to supplement employee protection along with these controls, this Location will provide and encourage the use of hearing protective devices in elevated noise areas.
Hearing protection to be used in the various areas of this Location will be selected based upon the following factors: 
o	Noise level anticipated in an area 

o	Type of work being performed: wet or dusty work, as opposed to "clean" work 

o	Other factors (e.g. personal preference [where allowable]) 
 This Location shall evaluate hearing protector attenuation for the specific noise environments in which the protector will be used. Hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90 decibels. For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift, hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or below. The adequacy of hearing protector attenuation shall be reevaluated whenever employee noise exposures increase to the extent that the hearing protectors provided may no longer provide adequate attenuation.
 In addition to the type of hearing protection used, selection must be made based on the noise attenuation that the individual type of hearing protector is rated to provide. Manufacturers of hearing protective devices are required to provide information on the device's Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The NRR is a laboratory measurement of the number of decibels by which a particular device will reduce a noise level when the device is worn properly. 
Hearing protection will be selected with the real world attenuation in mind, such that the hearing protection to be used will be selected to exceed the minimum noise reduction rating required wherever possible. 
 This Location will employ methods of evaluating the adequacy of hearing protector attenuation described in Appendix B of the Hearing Conservation Standard (29 CFR 1910.95.) Methods of assessment will be selected on the basis of the data available in each area in which an assessment is made.
 Earplugs and/or earmuffs will be used in the following areas: 
•	
•	
•	

 
In areas requiring hearing protection, selection will be made based upon the "cleanliness" of the area. Earplugs may be used in clean areas, where workers are not expected to have dirty hands, and earmuffs will be used where hand contamination is more likely.
 It is very important that the use of hearing protectors be strictly enforced in elevated noise areas. To this end, Supervisors must set an example for employees by using hearing protection themselves while in these areas.
 Employees will be presented with a selection of hearing protectors to use on the job. At a minimum, employees will be able to choose from two (2) options for each type of hearing protector approved for their job description and/or work area. 
 Employees will be trained on the proper use and fitting of each type of hearing protector. This will take place during initial and annual hearing conservation training, and will be checked and reinforced during audiometric testing.
 Hearing protectors will be replaced on a regular basis in order to assure optimum protection and sanitary conditions. Disposable-type earplugs will be discarded daily, or when they become dirty from use, although some can be washed and reused a number of times. Headphone-type hearing protectors must be cleaned from time to time, and replaced when damaged.
 As part of his/her duties, the Program Administrator will make unannounced walk-through inspections of the workplace, in order to check and document the use of hearing protection by employees who are included in the HCP.
 Many hearing problems suffered by employees are a result of non-occupational exposures, such as listening to loud music, personal use of noisy equipment like chain saws, or from the shooting of guns. To help workers maintain their hearing off the job, employees will be permitted and encouraged to use their hearing protection for these hobbies and other activities.
  
9.0 EMPLOYEE TRAINING
 This Location shall institute a training program for all employees who are exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, and the Supervisor shall ensure employee participation in this training program. The training shall be conducted annually for each employee included in the HCP. The training shall include: the effects of noise on hearing; the purpose of hearing protectors; the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types of hearing protectors; instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and the purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures. This training may be scheduled to occur in conjunction with other types of training required for Location employees, such as Respiratory Protection or Hazard Communication Training.
 
Initial training under the HCP will cover the following topics: 
•	Purpose of Training  
•	Contents/Components of the NAA HCP  
•	Effects of Noise: 
- Hearing loss
- Social consequences 
•	Hazardous Noise Exposures:  
- Occupational
- Non-occupational 
•	Purpose and Types of Engineering/Administrative Controls  
•	Hearing Protective Devices:  
- Types available
- Use
- Maintenance
- Demonstration of proper use and maintenance 
•	Audiometric Testing  
•	Question and Answer Session 

Annual retraining will stress the main points of the training described above. The information provided to employees during the annual training and/or retraining will be reinforced by the use of periodic reminders, such as workplace posters, videotape presentations, or memos.

 
 
10.0 RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
 This Location will maintain the following records as part of the Hearing Conservation Program:
 
OSHA-required records: 
•	Workplace noise exposure measurements, with background information on dates, methods, equipment used, calibration, results, etc. Noise exposure records must be kept for two (2) years under OSHA regulations. USDA/ARS/NAA requires records be retained 30 years and audiometric testing records must be kept for the duration of the employee's employment plus 30 years. 
In addition to the OSHA-required records, it is recommended that the following records also be kept for 30 years. 
•	Audiometric Records:  
• Date of audiogram
• Name of person conducting audiometric testing
• Name of employee, employee's age, and Social Security Number
• Employee's job description
• Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment
• Brand, make, serial number, and date of last calibration for audiometer used for testing
• Background noise level measurements in audiometric test room used 
•	Documentation (name, job title, Social Security Number) of employees included in the HCP 
•	Selection criteria for elevated noise level areas 
•	Selection criteria for company performing audiometric testing: 
• Name of company
• Certifications
• Calibration records for equipment used for testing
•	Documentation of Audiogram Review: Name, credentials, and certification of professional or technician reviewing audiogram 

•	Engineering and administrative controls implemented 

•	Hearing Protection:  
• Date of fittings
• Type, brand, and size (if applicable) of hearing protection selected
• Documentation of training and fitting of hearing protection
• Documentation of periodic checks of proper use of hearing protection on the job
• Documentation of sufficient protection of a particular hearing protector in a work area, based on "real world" attenuation and measured/ expected noise levels
•	Training documentation: sign-in sheets, content of presentation, and names of instructors 
These records will be kept and/or maintained by the Location Hearing Conservation Program Administrator. The OSHA-mandated records must be kept available for inspection, upon request, by OSHA, employees, former employees, and the employee's designated representatives.
 
11.0 DEFINITIONS
Action Level: An 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A-scale, slow response, or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. 
Audiogram: A chart, table, or graph showing hearing threshold level as a function of frequency. 
Audiologist: A professional specializing in the study of hearing who is certified by the American Speech, Hearing, and Language Association or licensed by a state board of examiners. 
Audiometer: An instrument for measuring the threshold or sensitivity of hearing. 
Audiometry: The measurement of hearing. 
Background Noise: The total of all noise in a system of situation independent of the presence of the desired signal. 
Baseline Audiogram: An audiogram obtained on testing after a prescribed period of quiet (at least 14 hours). The audiogram against which future audiograms are compared. 
Bone Conduction (BC): The process by which sound is transmitted to the inner ear through the bones of the skull. 
Cochlea: A spirally wound tube, resembling a snail shell, which forms part of the inner ear and contains the end organ of hearing.  
Criterion Sound Level: A sound level of 90 decibels.  
Decibel: A unit for measuring the loudness of sound. One-tenth of a bel.  
Dosimeter (Noise Dosimeter): An instrument that registers the occurrence and cumulative duration of noise exceeding a predetermined level at a chosen point in the environment or on a person.  
Ear Protection: A device inserted into or placed over the ear in order to weaken air-conducted sounds.  
Earmuff: A type of ear protector that encloses the entire outer ear.  
Earplug: A type of ear protector that is inserted into the ear.  
Frequency: The number of times per second that a sine wave repeats itself. The unit of expression is Hertz (Hz).  
Hair Cell: Sensory cells in the cochlea that transform the sound wave into a nerve impulse.  
Hearing Conservation: Those measures that are taken to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.  
Hearing Loss: Impairment of auditory sensitivity.  
Hearing Threshold Level: The amount by which the threshold of hearing for an ear exceeds a standard audiometric reference zero.  
Hertz: Unit of measurement of frequency.  
Middle Ear: A small cavity next to the eardrum.  
Noise: Disturbing, harmful, or unwanted sound.  
Occupational Hearing Loss: A permanent hearing loss sustained in the course of following an occupation or employment.  
Occupational Noise Exposure: An exposure to noise at specific levels for specific durations that trigger the need for engineering control, administrative control, and/or the use of personal protective equipment.
Organ of Corti: The end organ of hearing.  
Otolaryngologist: A physician specializing in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.  
Permanent Hearing Loss: Hearing loss deemed to be irrecoverable.  
Permanent Threshold Shift: That component of threshold shift that shows no progressive reduction with the passage of time when the supposed cause has been removed.  
Permissible Exposure Level (PEL): A noise exposure equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 90 dBA; this represents a dose of 100 percent.  
Representative Exposure: Measurements of an employee's noise dose or 8-hour time-weighted average sound level that the employer deems to be representative of the exposures of other employees in that workplace.  
Standard Threshold Shift: A change in hearing, relative to the baseline audiogram, of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz in either ear 
Temporary Threshold Shift: That component of threshold shift that shows a progressive reduction with the passage of time after the apparent cause has been removed.  
Threshold Shift: An elevation of the threshold of hearing of an ear.  
Time-Weighted Average Sound Level: That sound level, which if constant over an 8-hour exposure, would result in the same noise dose as is measured.  
Tinnitus: Ringing in the ear or noise sensed in the head.