2025 NHCA Annual Conference

As OSHA standards continue to shape workplace safety protocols, the ability to deliver compliant, reliable, and innovative hearing conservation solutions is more critical than ever. This presentation will delve into the latest advancements in digital audiometry, with a focus on how these technologies can support organizations in meeting OSHA’s requirements. We will explore the latest updates to hearX’s Hearing Conservation solution, which enables compliance at lower cost with more efficient testing and secure cloud data management without needing a traditional sound booth.

Additionally, the session will address the need for rigorous data protection certifications that not only secure sensitive employee information but also ensure full compliance with HIPAA and other relevant regulations. Finally, our presenter will introduce recent enhancements to our cloud-based data management system, designed to streamline reporting and operational efficiency, providing actionable insights supporting compliance and improved employee health outcomes.

Learning Objectives:
1. Compare traditional in-booth audiometry with boothless digital solutions and evaluate their respective roles in ensuring OSHA compliance.
2. Explain the critical importance of data protection within hearing conservation programs and describe the necessary steps to ensure HIPAA compliance.
3. Analyze the effects of ambient noise on hearing test accuracy and define how our boothless technology effectively mitigates these challenges, supporting compliance in real-world occupational health settings.

Conducting a hearing conservation testing program without a sound booth is possible with boothless audiometers. Dr. Victoria Bugtong, Au.D., a former Department of Defense (DOD) Audiologist, shares successes and challenges with setting up and maintaining a permanent boothless hearing conservation testing program. The presentation will guide you through the steps for taking the testing mission out of the sound isolation booth and successfully bringing it to any temporary testing event. The presentation covers all aspects of implementing boothless audiometry in the DOD from preparation, set up, ambient noise considerations, patient documentation and data entry. Dr. Bugtong will share the patient testing processes, and the lessons learned from her years working with boothless audiometers.

Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize how boothless audiometry is being used successfully in existing hearing conservation programs.
2. Summarize the benefits of implementing boothless audiometry technology in a DOD hearing conservation program.
3. Create and plan procedure for a permanent or temporary hearing conservation program using boothless audiometry.

Around 9 million Americans currently face the hazard of noise induced hearing loss (Dobie, 2008). Personal Attenuation Ratings (PAR) reflect the custom attenuation provided by ear plugs and can be helpful in implementing hearing conservation programs in industrial settings. PAR ratings can be confounded by lack of instruction on self insertion of ear plugs. Differences in shape and size of ear canals also play a role. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate PARs obtained from paper mill workers. PARs from paper mill workers were compared to a control group comprised of AuD students enrolled in a hearing conservation course. Audiograms and PARs were obtained from 10 paper mills workers after self insertion of ear plugs. A WAHTs system was used to collect the data. The audiometric data was used to compile information on years lived with disability (YLD). Mill workers exhibited high YLD. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples T test to compare two groups, paper mill workers vs. controls. T test results showed that the PAR values were significantly reduced in paper mill workers, relatively to controls (T= -7.44; P <.001). These results illustrate the importance of experience required in self insertion of ear plugs.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the importance of personal attenuation ratings
2. Recognize the variability and problems associated with PAR values
3. Identify the value in experience and training in self insertion of ear plugs