About the Program
Noise-induced hearing loss is a pervasive occupational health problem; and it is preventable through an effective hearing conservation program. What makes the difference between a program that complies with government standards and one that goes the extra mile to achieve positive outcomes? Participants will learn the most recent best practices on three key components of a hearing conservation program: employee safety education, audiometric evaluation, and program evaluation. Whether participants are hearing conservation technicians, program managers or professional supervisors, new to or experienced in hearing conservation, they will benefit from the latest research and best practice implications for their occupational health service.
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this educational presentation, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the occupational hearing conservationist and the professional supervisor of audiometric surveillance for occupational hearing conservation programs;
- Discuss three possible reasons why occupational hearing loss may occur despite the presence of an OSHA compliant hearing conservation program;
- Describe three ways to assess the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs;
- Describe a conceptual framework for employee hearing protection education;
- Identify best practices in hearing protection education; and
- Apply best practices to case studies at the individual employee and employer/organization levels.
About the Faculty
Madeleine J. Kerr PhD, RN
Dr. Madeleine Kerr has been involved in research on workers’ hearing protection practices for over 15 years and has authored or co-authored 10 publications on the topic. She is guest editor of a special series on Hearing Conservation in the AAOHN Journal this year (2007). Her current research in effective hearing protection training for construction workers has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIDCD) and the Centers for Disease Control (NIOSH). She has presented her research to interdisciplinary audiences such as the International Congress on Occupational Health (ICOH, Brazil, 2003), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA, Atlanta, 2004), and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA, Savannah, 2007). Dr. Kerr serves as one of two representatives of the American Association for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. on the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC).
Peter M. Rabinowitz, MD, MPH
Dr. Peter Rabinowitz is an associate professor of medicine and director of clinical services at the Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. He is board certified in occupational and environmental medicine, general medicine, general preventive medicine and family medicine. He is a representative of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine to the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) and chair of the CAOHC committee for training and certifying professional supervisors of the audiometric component of hearing conservation programs. Dr. Rabinowitz provides medical consultation to Alcoa, Inc. on hearing conservation related issues and is engaged in research on occupational hearing loss prevention.
How Does the Webcast Work?
No software downloads are required, and the webcast works with most computer systems (PC and Mac). The audio comes through your computer speakers, and slides will be presented over the Internet.
A high speed Internet connection (e.g. DSL, T1, cable modem) is recommended. Dial-up connections may cause a delay in loading the webcast’s slide images and lag behind the audio portion of the program.
Web Browser Compatibility Check
To see if your computer is compatible with this webcast, click here and your computer will automatically be checked for compatibility (just takes a few seconds). If you receive an error message, please stay on the web page and call (800) 756-8280 for technical support.
Get the archived Webcast now!
The purchase price for this archived webcast is $50 for AAOHN and ACOEM members and $75 for non-members.
Those who purchase the archived Webcast may also purchase a CD of the Webcast for $15.00. Those who don't may purchase the CD for $50 (AAOHN & ACOEM members) or $75 (non-members).
Get the archived Webcast now!
