Professional Practice What Makes a Successful Hearing Conservation Program?
AAOHN Journal Vol. 57   No. 8   August 2009
Bonnie Rogers, DrPH, COHN-S, LNCC, FAAN; Denai Meyer, RN, MSN; Carol Summey, RN, COHN-S/CM; Dawn Scheessele, RN; Terry Atwell, RN; Judith Ostendorf, MPH, COHN-S, CCM, FAAOHN; Susan A. Randolph, MSN, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN and Kathleen Buckheit, MPH, COHN-S/CM/SM, FAAOHN
ABSTRACT Although preventable, hearing impairment is one of the most prevalent disabilities in Western societies. In the United States, approximately 30 million individuals are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss and 22 million individuals between the ages of 20 and 69 have permanently damaged their hearing by exposure to loud sounds or noise in their environment. Both work-related and recreational noise exposure affect an individual’s hearing. Legislation in 1969 and later in 1983 established standards mandating that all workers exposed to noise levels at or greater than 85 dBA time-weighted average be placed in a hearing conservation program that includes provision of hearing protective devices. This article discusses components of an effective hearing conservation program, and the roles and functions of interdisciplinary team members in making a hearing conservation program successful. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Dr. Rogers is Director, NC Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center and the Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC. Ms. Meyer is nurse manager and occupational health nurse, Flight Medicine Clinic, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM. Ms. Summey is a certified occupational health nurse/case manager, Invista, Spartanbury, SC; and student, Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Ms. Scheessele is a registered nurse, Presbyterian Company Care, Carrier Corporation, Charlotte, NC. Ms. Atwell is an occupational health nurse and certified occupational hearing conservationist, Propex, Bainbridge, GA; and student, Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Ms. Ostendorf is Clinical Assistant Professor and Ms. Randolph is Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Ms. Buckheit is Continuing Education Director, NC Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Ms. Berryman is Senior Consultant, Medical Management, Integrated Disability Management Department, FinCor Solutions, Lansing, MI. Dr. Lukes is Health Services Southern Regional Manager, The Boeing Company, Mesa, AZ. doi:10.3928/08910162-20090716-02