Hybrid Audiometric Technician Training: A Fusion of Traditional and Virtual Learning
Presenters: Kirsten McCall, AuD and Vickie Tuten, AuD
About the Webinar: Alternative delivery models for teaching Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) hearing technician certification courses have become a reality. To date, only a few Course Directors (CDs) have ventured into this uncharted territory. This presentation offers a suggested roadmap for developing and delivering virtual courses and reviews the benefits and challenges of a hybrid model, including lessons learned. While of benefit to anyone considering virtual synchronous learning, the intended audience are current CDs of any experience level and those who may be considering becoming a CD.
Program Level: Introductory
Topics covered:
- Key differences between the traditional face-to-face model and a hybrid virtual and practicum classroom model;
- Platform delivery vehicles used;
- Changes made to training to accommodate the virtual platform;
- Incorporation of recertification students into the virtual training;
- Adaptations made for the practicum portion of the course
- Experiences with this new delivery model, challenges and lessons learned.
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objective #1
Contrast the key differences between the traditional face-to-face model and a hybrid virtual and practicum classroom model.
Learning Objective #2
Discuss the challenges in delivering instruction in a hybrid virtual and practicum classroom delivery model.
Learning Objective #3
Identify available resources for both virtual instruction and hands-on practicum.
Hearing Health Education in Short Training Segments: Microlearning Theory in Hearing Conservation
Presenter: John A. Merkley, AuD
About the Webinar: Learners today expect to get information quickly and in a format that is easy to access, easy to understand, available at a time and place of the learner's choice, and relevant to what the learner needs to know at the moment. This presentation will introduce you to microlearning and how to use it to meet learners' needs and expectations while effectively using it for hearing conservation training in the workplace.
Program Level: Introductory
Topics covered:
- What is microlearning or just-in-time training theory
- How do you effectively apply microlearning in the workplace
- How can you enhance your current hearing conservation training program with microlearning
Learning Objectives:
1. List three best practice tips for microlearning
2. Describe microlearning theory.
3. Identify three topics of required hearing conservation training that can be effective microlearning subjects.
Audiology, Hearing Loss Prevention and Music: Treatment Considerations
Presenter: Michael Santucci, AuD
About the Webinar: As musicians are increasingly in search of hearing loss prevention information and strategies, this presentation will provide a brief overview of the recent American Academy of Audiology consensus guidelines on treatment for music-induced hearing disorders. There will be a focus on earplugs for musicians as well as the safe use of in-ear monitors.
Program Level: Introductory
Topics Covered:
The presentation will briefly compare and contrast traditional onstage monitors with today’s in-ear-monitoring systems. The role of the audiologist in selecting the most appropriate passive filter for earplugs and selecting the appropriate in-ear monitor earpiece while guiding the musician to safe use will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
As a result of this Continuing Education Activity, readers will be able to:
1) Compare and differentiate on-stage in-ear monitoring from traditional floor monitoring
2) Help musicians select an appropriate in-ear monitoring earpiece
3) Help guide patients to the safe use of the in-ear monitoring
Hearing Conservation Overall
Presenter: Vickie Tuten, AuD, CCC-A, CPS/A
This presentation will provide information on "why" we need to put programs in place to protect the hearing health of employees. Included will be discussion of both the benefits to the employee as well as benefits to the employer. As part of the "why" discussion, participants will learn about the auditory and non-auditory effects of hearing loss on the individual. Included will be a brief introduction to the regulatory requirements as well as what might make a Hearing Conservation or Hearing Loss Prevention Program most effective. There will be some discussion of the role of CAOHC in ensuring that good training occurs for the Occupational Hearing Conservationists who carry out the daily functions in these programs.
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between auditory and non-auditory effects caused by hazardous noise exposure.
- Estimate the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss among different noise-exposed populations.
- Recognize major policy makers related to hearing conservation in the United States.
Hearing Conservation Regulations and Best Practices for Prevention
Presenter: Laurie Wells, AuD, FAAA, CPS/A
This presentation will discuss regulations that define employer responsibilities surrounding hearing conservation programs have structured company policies and practices for decades. Too, these regulations provide a starting place for employers who aim to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss. This presentation will provide an overview of regulatory requirements pertaining to hearing conservation programs as well as propose best practices supported by CAOHC, NHCA. NIOSH and other professional organizations.
Learning Objectives:
- List three examples of best practice policies that are considered to be more protective than the OSHA regulatory requirements.
- Differentiate between a Standard Threshold Shift and a recordable hearing shift according to US OSHA federal requirements.
- Name two employer responsibilities that are required by federal regulations when the permissible exposure level is exceeded.
Noise Measurement
Presenter: Charlie Moritz, MS, INCE Bd Cert.
This presentation will provide an overview of the measurement and control of noise, including an introduction to that dear friend/archenemy of hearing loss prevention (the decibel), the equipment we use to measure noise (sound level meters, dosimeters, octave band analyzers, oh my!), how we can reduce noise exposures, and how all this relates to protecting people's hearing.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify workers who may be at risk for excessive noise exposure.
- Quantify the risk – Job Hazard Analysis.
- Identify dominant noise sources for Engineering Noise Control.
- Identify quiet areas for Administrative Noise Control.
- Understand the noise characteristics for the selection of hearing protection devices.
- Understand worker environment if a change in their hearing occurs.
- Demonstrate how to conduct sound level checks within the audiometric test booth.
The Audiogram
Presenter: John "Andy" Merkley, AuD, CCC-A, CPS/A
Monitoring audiometry is a key element of the hearing loss prevention program. The audiogram is used to identify significant changes in an employees hearing and to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the hearing loss prevention program. This session will provide participants with in-depth knowledge of different types of audiograms used in monitoring audiometry programs, how to read the audiogram, and provide a broad understanding of information the pure-tone air conduction audiogram provides to the employee, employer, and hearing health professional. Common audiometric configurations and their associated illnesses as well as problem audiograms and how to recognize them will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe different types of audiograms used in a hearing conservation program.
- Recognize a problem audiogram.
- Identify different audiometric configurations and common findings associated with each.
- Explain the limits of information that can be inferred by a pure tone air conduction audiogram alone.
- Explain the audiogram in terms of frequency and intensity.
Education & Training
Presenter: Carol Snyderwine, MHA, MA, CCC-A, CPS/A
While the ideal solution to a noisy environment is to remove the noise, in many situations, it simply isn't possible. When this is the case, it's not enough to rely solely on compliance with regulations to reduce risk. We need to educate employees thoroughly on the benefits of hearing conservation and the crucial steps they should take to safeguard their hearing. Employees must participate actively for hearing conservation to be successful; we need to engage and interest them in their own protection. Effective hearing conservation cannot be achieved without the combined efforts of employers, supervisors, and the employees themselves. By focusing on the reasons behind hearing conservation, and providing some different approaches, we can better reach these individuals to make them a part of the solution to preventable hearing loss.
Learning Objectives:
- Define OSHA requirements for education and training in a hearing conservation program.
- Describe how the factors of commitment, communication, and cooperation relate to a successful hearing loss prevention program.
- Apply the principles of motivational interviewing to employee interactions to elicit "behavior change" that contributes to positive health outcomes and improved communication.
Hearing Protection
Presenter: Elliott Berger, MS, INCE Bd Cert.
As hearing conservationists, we can measure, assess, document, and counsel, but when it comes to effective intervention, an important tool, sometimes our only tool, is a hearing protector. Therefore, it behooves us to be knowledgeable about hearing protection devices and how to optimize their use in hearing conservation programs. This presentation discusses the types of hearing protectors available today, the requirements for testing and labeling with a Noise Reduction Rating, and the differences between NRRs and attenuation achieved in practice by individuals who use them. Of equal importance will be a discussion of the influence of hearing protectors on the ability to communicate in noise. Finally, the rewards and benefits gained by implementing hearing protector fit testing as a recommended best practice will be highlighted.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the available types of hearing protection devices and describe their respective advantages and disadvantages.
- Explain the meaning and value of the EPA’s Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) and differentiate it from alternative methods of predicting effective employee protection.
- Explain the benefits of hearing protector fit testing and evaluate the pros and cons of the various systems available to accomplish that process.
Recordability Issues
Presenter: D. Bruce Kirchner, MD, MPH, CPS/A
Identification of work-related hearing loss has long been one of the most complicated and controversial areas of government-mandated injury/illness recordkeeping. Effective in 2000, MSHA provided a new definition of "reportable" hearing loss in its revised noise standard, Part 62. OSHA also defined new criteria for recording occupational hearing loss with its recent revision to 29 CFR 1904 (effective in 2003, with a separate Form 300 column in effect January 1, 2004). This workshop presentation will focus on the basic requirements of MSHA and OSHA recordkeeping regulations, as well as implications for professional review of audiograms and determination of work-relatedness. Although compliance with recordkeeping rules is important to the ultimate goal of tracking incidence of work-related hearing loss, emphasis will also be placed on best practices for an effective hearing loss prevention program.
Learning Objectives:
- Define basic requirements of United States recordkeeping regulations, as well as implications for professional review of audiograms and determination of work-relatedness.
- Summarize the recordability decision-making process.
- Compare case studies on recordability.