CAOHC Medical Referral Criteria and Follow-up 3

Question 1

While a worker awaits the outcome of a physician evaluation following an STS, what should the OHC ensure regarding hearing protection?

Accepted Answer

The worker continues or is newly fitted with appropriate hearing protection devices

Answer

The worker is exempted from wearing HPDs until cleared by the physician

Answer

The worker's HPD requirements are suspended pending the referral outcome

Answer

The worker must be placed on temporary leave from all workplace duties

Question 2

Under what circumstance does OSHA's hearing conservation standard permit the use of age correction (AADR) when evaluating audiometric results?

Accepted Answer

Only when calculating whether an STS may be work-related

Answer

Always — age correction is mandatory for all annual audiogram comparisons

Answer

Only when the worker is over 60 years of age

Answer

Whenever the OHC or supervising audiologist deems it appropriate

Question 3

A worker refuses to attend the physician appointment arranged following an STS. What is the most appropriate action for the OHC?

Accepted Answer

Document the worker's refusal in the audiometric record and notify the appropriate supervisor

Answer

Physically accompany the worker to the appointment to ensure compliance

Answer

Cancel the referral and treat the STS as unconfirmed going forward

Answer

File a complaint with OSHA against the worker for non-compliance

Question 4

Who bears ultimate responsibility for interpreting audiograms and making medical determinations within an occupational hearing conservation program?

Accepted Answer

The supervising audiologist or physician overseeing the program

Answer

The Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC) who administered the test

Answer

The company's occupational safety officer

Answer

The OSHA area compliance officer

Question 5

An OHC is establishing a new hearing conservation program at a small employer site. No physician referral protocol exists yet. What is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Work with the employer and a supervising audiologist or physician to establish a formal referral protocol before testing begins

Answer

Use personal clinical judgment to handle each referral case as it arises

Answer

Begin audiometric testing immediately and develop a referral protocol later if needed

Answer

Refer all workers to a physician regardless of audiometric results as a precaution

Question 6

A worker referred to an audiologist receives prescription hearing aids following evaluation. What does this indicate regarding the OHC's role in work-relatedness determination?

Accepted Answer

Work-relatedness determination is a separate clinical and legal matter outside the OHC's scope

Answer

Prescription of hearing aids automatically confirms occupational causation

Answer

The OHC must now document the loss as work-related in the OSHA 300 log

Answer

The OHC must dispute the audiologist's assessment if noise exposure was minimal

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the follow-up action required when a worker's revised baseline audiogram is established after a confirmed STS?

Accepted Answer

Future STS determinations are made by comparing annual audiograms to the revised baseline

Answer

The original baseline is permanently deleted from the audiometric record

Answer

The revised baseline is only used if the worker switches employers

Answer

STS comparison reverts to the original baseline after 5 years