Understanding Audiogram and Employee Follow-Up Flashcards
hearing test are documented on these two basic types of audiograms
serial
graphic
documents hearing Air Conduction thresholds numerically
serial audiograms
usually used by audiologists
results are displayed on a chart using symbols to identify thresholds
graphic audiograms
normal hearing limits
-10 to 25 dB
mild hearing loss
30 to 40 dB
moderate hearing loss
45 to 55 dB
moderate-severe hearing loss
60 to 70 dB
severe hearing loss
75 to 90 dB
profound hearing loss
90+ dB
what constitutes normal hearing
threshold below 25 dB
pattern usually indicates a conductive hearing loss
flat audiograms
what else can cause flat loss
equipment malfunction
non-organic hearing loss
most common audiometric pattern
always indicate sensorineural involvement
sloping configuration
when does noise notch usually occur
4000 Hz
but can be anywhere 3000-6000 Hz
hearing improves in higher frequencies
NOT caused by noise
typically conductive
rising configuration
exception to rising configuration
meniere’s disease
hearing loss that occurs in one ear only
difference of 40-70 dB
unilateral hearing loss
hearing loss occurs in both ears, but one is considerably worse
greater than or equal to 25 dB @ consecutive frequencies
asymmetrical hearing loss
performed by audiologist
Bone Conduction (BC)
Masking
bypasses the outer and middle ears and stimulates the inner ear
BC testing
when BC thresholds are within normal limits and better than AC thresholds
conductive hearing loss
when BC thresholds are about the same as AC thresholds
Sensorineural hearing loss
BC thresholds are better than AC, but not within normal limits
mixed hearing loss
used by audiologist to prevent crossover in patients with unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss
masking
represents the employee’s “best” hearing and serves as a baseline
reference audiogram
reference audiograms are recorded on what form
Form DD 2215
when can the baseline be re-established
after a provider determines a change in hearing
identifies early changes in hearing by comparing current/reference audiogram
periodic audiogram
periodic audiogram is documented on what form
DD Form 2216
testing criteria for periodic audiogram
no noise free requirements
can have ENT problems
no shift (annual/term)
RTD
neg shift (annual/term)
F/U #1 (same day)
no shift (1st F/U)
RTD
neg shift (1st F/U)
RTD
worker shows no change between annual and reference audiogram
praise worker
offer ear plugs
remind of next annual exam
hearing has changed significantly at one frequency but not enough to generate an STS
early warning signs
a significant change in hearing from the worker’s baseline threshold
Standard Threshold Shift (STS)
what characterizes a STS
permanent/temporary
positive/negative
shift from baseline of 10 dB or more
hearing levels are WORSE than baseline
positive STS
worker signs what form when STS occurs
DD Form 2216
pos shift (annual/term)
F/U #1 (within 30 days)
no shift (F/U #1)
RTD
pos shift F/U #1
F/U #2 (same day)
no shift (F/U #2)
RTD
pos shift (F/U #2)
referral
calculate for OSHA
(T/F) OHC should not attempt to interpret an audiogram received from the audiologist
True
