MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE - Noise

This past few weeks I am really busy analysing audiometric results of employees from 2 of our corporate clients. Analysing the audiometric results is very time consuming and painful especially if you dont have the previous result in hand. Lucky for me as I have created the audiometry surveillance database for me to keep the data of my clients so that I can compare their current audiometric results with the previous one. This is important especially if we want to determine the occurence of standard threshold shift (STS).

After the analysis done, the reports need to be revealed to the workers as well as their employer. Advising the employer on the important of implementing the Hearing Conservation Program is very important. Nonetheless, educating the employee on the risk of noise to their hearing and the important of wearing Hearing Protective devices is very challenging.

Generally, the findings will be classified into 3 categories:

1. Normal Hearing

2. Hearing Impairment

3. Noise Induced Hearing loss (hearing loss at high frequency 3 Khz - 6 Khz or typical 4 Khz notching).

The category 2 & 3, need to be notified to DOSH. Here is the problem start to emerge, some employers look scary and try to argue about the findings.

My advice to them will be:

Implement the Comprehensive Hearing Conservation Program and DOSH will be pleased with your effort.

Note: The above picture was captured from my humble database created using Filemaker Pro