ABA Safety Systems & Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ANSI S3.6, audiometers must be calibrated at minimum how often for a full electroacoustic calibration?
- Daily
- Monthly
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: Annually
ANSI S3.6 requires full electroacoustic calibration of audiometers at least annually to ensure accuracy of output levels.
Question 2: In an industrial hearing conservation program, a standard threshold shift (STS) is defined as an average shift of how many dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz compared to baseline?
- 10 dB (Correct answer)
- 15 dB
- 25 dB
- 5 dB
Correct answer: 10 dB
OSHA defines an STS as an average threshold shift of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz relative to the baseline audiogram.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a baseline audiogram in an occupational hearing conservation program?
- To document pre-existing hearing loss for compensation claims only
- To establish a reference for detecting future noise-induced threshold shifts (Correct answer)
- To determine if a worker needs hearing aids
- To comply with EPA noise regulations
Correct answer: To establish a reference for detecting future noise-induced threshold shifts
The baseline audiogram serves as a reference point against which annual audiograms are compared to detect noise-induced threshold shifts.
Question 4: Which type of hearing protection device typically provides the highest attenuation for high-frequency noise in industrial settings?
- Foam earplugs (Correct answer)
- Earmuffs
- Semi-insert earplugs
- Canal caps
Correct answer: Foam earplugs
Properly inserted foam earplugs typically achieve the highest NRR values and provide superior high-frequency attenuation compared to earmuffs.
Question 5: Under OSHA 1910.95, employers must make audiometric testing available to employees exposed at or above the action level within how many months of first exposure?
- 3 months
- 6 months (Correct answer)
- 12 months
- 24 months
Correct answer: 6 months
OSHA requires that a baseline audiogram be obtained within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the 85 dBA action level.
Question 6: A noise measurement using a dosimeter records a TWA of 92 dBA over an 8-hour shift. The applicable OSHA allowable exposure time at 92 dBA is closest to:
- 4 hours
- 6 hours (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
- 8 hours
Correct answer: 6 hours
Using OSHA's 5 dB exchange rate table, 92 dBA corresponds to approximately 6 hours of allowable exposure, as 90 dBA allows 8 hours and 95 dBA allows 4 hours.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a required element of OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment (29 CFR 1910.95)?
- Noise monitoring
- Annual audiometric testing
- Engineering controls as the first priority (Correct answer)
- Employee training on hearing protection
Correct answer: Engineering controls as the first priority
OSHA's HCA requires monitoring, audiometric testing, HPD provision, and training, but does not mandate engineering controls as a first priority within the HCA itself.
ABA Safety Systems & Standards 3
According to ANSI S3.6, audiometers must be calibrated at minimum how often for a full electroacoustic calibration?