['Industrial Hygiene']
['Hearing Conservation and Noise']
03/12/2025
...
First, you can retest the employee within 30 days to see if there still is the STS. If there is, then you have to go to an audiologist or doctor to review the test results. You must provide the audiologist with a copy of the OSHA standard, copies of the worker’s baseline and problem audiogram, and information about the conditions in the test room and the calibration of the test equipment.
After that, it is up to the audiologist or physician to decide if there is a need for further evaluation. And, the physician can review the results and determine that the STS wasn’t caused by or aggravated by work-related noise. You also have to inform the employee in writing that there was an STS within 15 days of finding out about it.
If the STS is found to be work-related, you have to fit the worker with hearing protectors, and provide training, if that individual is not already using them. If the worker already wears hearing protectors, you have to do a refit and retrain that person. You might also have to provide protectors with more attenuation.
If the audiologist or physician’s review finds that additional testing is necessary, then you refer the employee for the tests. You must also refer the employee for an evaluation or exam if you suspect that wearing hearing protectors is causing or aggravating an ear problem.
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