CAOHC - Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation Audiometric Testing Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

According to OSHA regulations, which of the following is a required component for establishing a valid baseline audiogram?

Accepted Answer

The test must be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise.

Answer

The employee must be tested within the first 30 days of employment.

Answer

Testing must include bone conduction thresholds at all frequencies.

Answer

The employee must have a history of non-occupational noise exposure documented.

Question 2

An employee's annual audiogram reveals an average threshold shift of 15 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in their right ear when compared to their baseline. What is the immediate next step for the Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC)?

Accepted Answer

Schedule a retest within 30 days to determine if the shift is persistent.

Answer

Immediately refer the employee to a physician for a medical evaluation.

Answer

Record the shift as a permanent work-related injury on the OSHA 300 log.

Answer

Fit the employee with new, higher-rated hearing protection.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a CAOHC-certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC) in the audiometric testing process?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosing the cause of a hearing loss.

Answer

Conducting daily functional checks of the audiometer.

Answer

Instructing the employee on the testing procedure.

Answer

Calculating a Standard Threshold Shift (STS).

Question 4

A daily biological calibration check of the audiometer is performed using a human listener with known, stable hearing. The check reveals that the 1000 Hz tone is only audible to the listener at 20 dB HL, whereas their known threshold is 5 dB HL. What should the OHC do?

Accepted Answer

Replace the headphones and repeat the biological check.

Answer

Add 15 dB to all thresholds measured at 1000 Hz for that day.

Answer

Proceed with testing as the deviation is minor.

Answer

Stop using the audiometer and report the issue for an exhaustive calibration.

Question 5

The maximum permissible ambient noise levels (MPANLs) for an audiometric test room are specified by which standard?

Accepted Answer

ANSI/ASA S3.1

Answer

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95

Answer

NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

Answer

CAOHC Best Practices Guide

Question 6

As an OHC, you are preparing to conduct an annual audiogram for a worker from the bottling line, a high-noise area. The worker arrives for their test directly from their shift. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Reschedule the test to occur before the worker begins their next shift.

Answer

Proceed with the test but make a note that there was no quiet time.

Answer

Ask the worker to wear hearing protection for 30 minutes before the test.

Answer

Conduct the test and subtract 10 dB from all thresholds to account for TTS.