Intro to HC/Roles & Responsibilities Flashcards
mission of the AF HCP
prevent noise induced hearing loss
protects all noise-exposed personnel and air crew members
AF HCP
federal regulation that governs occupational noise
sets the standard at the federal level for noise exposure
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95
civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act
governs the hearing conservation for the whole DoD
DoDI 6055.12 Hearing Conservation Program
primary AF regulation used for the HCP
AF 48-127
two main sources of hazardous noise
occupational & non-occupational noise
hazardous noise from the workplace
occupational noise
hazardous noise from outside the workplace
non-occupational noise
ototoxic
poisonous to the ear
a significant change in hearing that resolves after a period of rest
temporary threshold shift (TTS)
a change in hearing that does not get better
permanent threshold shift (PTS)
one of the most serious yet least mentioned consequence of hearing loss
social withdrawal
sounds in the ear or head without an external source
“ringing or noises in the ear”
tinnitus
increased sensitivity to sound and discomfort to moderate levels of sound
hyperacusis
communication interference
complex communication
speech perception
physical vocal issues
safety mishaps
job performance
auditory attention
intermittent & continuous noise
antisocial
extra auditory
biological stressor
military culture
five elements of an effective Hearing Conservation Program
noise Assessment
noise Control
audiometric Monitoring
Education
Disposition
(ACMED)
identified by BE
conduct shop noise source surveys/dosimeters
noise assessment
making recommendations for engineering/administrative controls, PPE
noise control
hierarchy of controls
engineering controls
administrative controls
hearing protection devices (HPD)
the ultimate solution to noise control
engineering controls
limits the exposure time of the workers by manipulating schedules
administrative controls
most commonly used control
least expensive
least effective
HPD
PH compare annual hearing test to look for threshold shift
audiometric monitoring
PH ensures personnel understand the risk (hazard) and know how to protect themselves
education
how often is PH educating about HC
initially
before exposure
annually
understanding the right thing to do with the patient and the paperwork involved
disposition
overall responsibility for the HCP
appoints the installation HCPM
Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) Commander
coordinate with base-level HCPMs on fitness and risk evals
complete medical referrals and document in e-health record
flight medicine
responsible for overall HCP procedures, program adequacy
installation HCPM
review problem audiograms and determine if an employee’s hearing loss is work related
Occupational Health Consultant
assess and approves HPD
uses hierarchy of controls/noise surveys/dosimetry
conduct worksite visits/assessment
BE
review exposures
determine types of test used
identify trends
recommend intervention
OEHWG
consultation source for the OEHWG/installation HCP
review civilian audiology reports
make recommendations for final disposition
The Hearing Conservation Diagnostic Centers (HCDC)
Hearing Conservation Centers (HCC)
where does PH send individuals with problem audiograms
The Hearing Conservation Diagnostic Centers (HCDC)
Hearing Conservation Centers (HCC)
ensure personnel are trained, wearing proper PPE, receive annual audiograms
enforce compliance with BE recommendations
supervisor
must comply
employee
mission is to improve hearing loss prevention programs via training standardizations
Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC)
who traditionally fills the role of Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC)
PH
limitations within HCP
audiogram interpretation
specialized testing
diagnosis of hearing disorders
conduct noise surveys/controls
