Occhealth Bulletin
06 March 2009
Anticipating recordable shifts
Category: Examinetics
Examinetics has expanded its offering within the XM Network. A new “Near Recordable Shift” report has been developed which will enable users of the XM Network to monitor, even more closely, changes to the hearing thresholds of their employees. “This report will go a long way towards helping our clients ‘anticipate’ recordable shifts and take steps to prevent them from occurring” says Cindy Bloyer, Manager of Occupational Audiology at Examinetics, Inc.
Generating the report couldn’t be simpler. Within the XM Network, users must enter the test date range of the last testing cycle. Once the search criteria are entered, a report is produced listing the employees who match the “Near Recordable Shift” criteria.
The current OSHA and FRA criteria for recordable/reportable shifts are:
1. an average age adjusted worsening from baseline to current test of >10dB at 2, 3 and 4KHz in either ear AND
2. an average hearing level of >25dB at 2, 3 and 4KHz in the same (worsening) ear
Examinetics has defined the criteria as:
1. an average age adjusted worsening from baseline to current test of >7dB, but <10dB at 2, 3 and 4KHz in either ear AND
2. an average hearing level of >25dB at 2, 3 and 4KHz in the same (worsening) ear
The Near Recordable Shift report is appropriate for use in OSHA or FRA complaint programs, but not for MSHA programs as the MSHA reportable criteria is different from OSHA and FRA.
A Florida-based business has already found this information beneficial and determined from their own data that the first criterion is the most predictive of subsequent shifts. Take a look at specific pages on the Examinetics, Inc. website (www.examinetics.com) to find out more about the XM Network and associated reports.