Standard Threshold Shift Calculation Made Easy
Hearing conservation is critical to workplace safety, especially in environments with high noise levels. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established guidelines to protect workers’ hearing, including Standard Threshold Shift (STS) calculation.
Calculating STS can be complex, particularly when age correction is involved. Fortunately, Benson Medical Instruments’ CCA-200mini Software offers a solution that automates this process, making it easier and more efficient.
Understanding OSHA Hearing Conservation
OSHA’s Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) aims to prevent occupational hearing loss by monitoring noise exposure and implementing protective measures. A key component of this program is the audiometric testing of employees to detect any changes in their hearing ability.
What is a Standard Threshold Shift?
An STS is a change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear1.
The Challenge of Calculating STS with Age Correction
One of the challenges in calculating STS is accounting for age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis.
OSHA allows for the use of age correction tables to adjust audiograms, which can help differentiate between hearing loss due to aging and hearing loss due to workplace noise exposure 1.
According is OSHA’s 1910.95 Appendix F , calculating STS with age correction involves several steps:
- Determine Age Correction Values: Using OSHA’s age correction tables, find the correction values for the employee’s age at the time of the most recent audiogram and the baseline audiogram.
- Calculate the Difference: Subtract the baseline correction values from the most recent correction values to determine the portion of hearing loss attributable to aging.
- Adjust the Audiogram: Subtract the age-related hearing loss from the most recent audiogram to get the adjusted values.
This manual process is time-consuming and prone to errors, making it difficult for employers to ensure accurate and consistent results.
How Benson Medical Instruments’ CCA-200mini Software Helps
Benson Medical Instruments’ CCA-200mini Software automates the calculation of STS, and when configured can apply age correction, streamlining the entire process. Here’s how it makes a difference:
• Automated Calculations: The software when configured automatically applies age correction values to audiograms, eliminating the need for manual calculations. This ensures that the adjustments are accurate and consistent every time.
• User-Friendly Interface: The CCA-200mini Software has an intuitive interface that guides users through the process, making it easy to use even for those with limited technical expertise.
• Comprehensive Reporting: The software generates detailed reports that include all necessary information for OSHA compliance, helping employers maintain accurate records and demonstrate their commitment to hearing conservation.
• Time Efficiency: The software saves audiologists and occupational health professionals valuable time by automating the STS calculation process, allowing them to focus on other critical aspects of hearing conservation.
Calculating STS with age correction is a crucial but complex task in OSHA’s Hearing Conservation Program. Benson Medical Instruments’ CCA-200mini Software simplifies this process by automating calculations, ensuring accuracy, and saving time.
By leveraging this advanced technology, employers can enhance their hearing conservation efforts and better protect their employees’ hearing health.
