CAOHC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CAOHC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CAOHC Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CAOHC Topics to Study (61)
✍️ Sample CAOHC Questions & Answers
1. What is the purpose of masking in audiometric testing?
Masking introduces noise to the non-test ear to eliminate cross-hearing, ensuring that thresholds measured truly represent the test ear sensitivity.
2. A company is acquired by a new owner. What is the successor employer's responsibility regarding the audiometric records and baseline audiograms from the previous owner?
According to OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.95(m)(5), when an employer ceases business, they must transfer all required records to the successor employer. The successor employer is then required to retain these records and should continue to use the established baseline audiograms for comparison unless there is a valid reason to question their accuracy.
3. What is the primary role of a CAOHC-certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC)?
OHCs conduct pure tone audiometric testing and assist with HCP administration under the supervision of a licensed audiologist or physician.
4. What is the OSHA-defined standard threshold shift (STS)?
OSHA defines STS as an average change of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear compared to the baseline audiogram.
5. Under OSHA, how must hearing loss be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log?
OSHA recording criteria require both a confirmed STS AND an average hearing level of 25 dB HL or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz.
6. What is OSHA's definition of a Standard Threshold Shift (STS)?
OSHA defines STS as an average shift of 10 dB or more at the frequencies of 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear relative to the baseline audiogram. This specific definition focuses on the frequencies most affected by occupational noise.