Hearing Conservation Program

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Explain how noise damages hearing: sound wave transmission through the ear, cochlear hair cell destruction, temporary threshold shift versus permanent threshold shift, the cumulative nature of noise damage, and why hearing loss from occupational noise is permanent and irreversible.
• Apply OSHA noise exposure limits: the PEL (90 dBA TWA), the Action Level (85 dBA TWA), the 5 dB exchange rate (doubling rate), and how these limits determine which programme elements are triggered at each exposure level.
• Conduct noise monitoring: selecting between personal dosimetry and area sound level surveys, calibrating instruments, conducting full-shift monitoring, interpreting results (TWA, dose percentage, peak levels), identifying noise sources, and producing the monitoring reports that document exposure levels.
• Manage the audiometric testing programme: baseline audiograms (within 6 months of first exposure or 1 year with hearing protection), annual audiograms, Standard Threshold Shift (STS) determination (average shift of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz), STS follow-up requirements (retest, notification, evaluation, referral), audiologist/technician qualifications, and audiometric testing environment requirements.
• Select hearing protection devices: Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), OSHA derating methods, earplug types (pre-moulded, foam, custom-moulded), earmuff types, double protection for extreme noise, fit verification, and the practical selection criteria that ensure workers actually wear the protection provided.
• Evaluate and implement engineering noise controls: enclosure (sound-insulated equipment housings), isolation (vibration mounts, resilient connections), damping (constrained layer, free-layer treatments), substitution (quieter equipment, processes, tools), and maintenance (worn bearings, loose panels, and the maintenance deficiencies that increase noise).
• Implement administrative noise controls: scheduling noisy operations during low-occupancy periods, rotating workers to reduce individual exposure time, increasing distance between workers and noise sources, and the administrative measures that supplement engineering controls.
• Deliver annual hearing conservation training: the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors and the advantages/disadvantages of each type, fitting and care of hearing protectors, and the purpose of audiometric testing — the four training topics OSHA 1910.95(k) requires.
• Maintain programme recordkeeping: noise monitoring records (exposure measurements, instruments, calibration), audiometric testing records (audiograms, STS determinations, follow-up), and the retention periods (noise monitoring: 2 years; audiometric testing: duration of employment).
• Evaluate programme effectiveness: annual review of monitoring data, audiometric trends (STS rates, hearing threshold changes across the workforce), hearing protector utilization, engineering control progress, and the performance metrics that determine whether the programme is actually preventing hearing loss.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Sound Physics and Hearing Damage: how noise damages cochlear hair cells, TTS vs PTS, cumulative damage
• OSHA Noise Limits: 90 dBA PEL, 85 dBA Action Level, 5 dB exchange rate, programme triggers
• Noise Monitoring: dosimetry, SLM, calibration, full-shift measurement, interpretation, reporting
• Audiometric Testing: baseline, annual, STS determination (10 dB average at 2k/3k/4k Hz), follow-up, referral
• Hearing Protection Selection: NRR, derating, earplugs, earmuffs, double protection, fit verification
• Engineering Noise Controls: enclosure, isolation, damping, substitution, maintenance-based noise reduction
• Administrative Controls: scheduling, rotation, distance, supplementary exposure reduction
• Annual Training: the four OSHA-required training topics per 1910.95(k)
• Recordkeeping: monitoring records (2 years), audiometric records (employment duration), documentation
• Programme Effectiveness: STS rates, threshold trends, HPD utilization, engineering progress, performance metrics

• No prior noise or hearing conservation training required
• Relevant for any workplace with hazardous noise
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Safety officers managing hearing conservation programmes in manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, mining, and any high-noise industry
• Occupational health nurses who manage audiometric testing programmes and STS follow-up
• Industrial hygienists who conduct noise monitoring and recommend controls
• Supervisors in high-noise operations (stamping, grinding, pneumatic tools, heavy equipment) responsible for hearing protection enforcement
• HR managers who manage audiometric testing scheduling, worker notifications, and programme records
• Safety managers evaluating the effectiveness of their existing hearing conservation programme
• Anyone designated to select, fit, or train workers on hearing protection devices

• Hearing Conservation Program — YOU ARE HERE (OSHA 1910.95 specialist course)
• Introduction to Industrial Hygiene (includes noise as one of several physical hazards)
• Health Hazards in Construction (includes construction noise exposure)
• International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene (Unit 3: noise dosimetry, octave band, 1910.95 at diploma depth)