I work for a mining company in Western Australia. I have a colleague who works in Occupational Health, and is trying to produce some graphs and statistics of noise-related hearing loss for our employees. He has an algorithm for binaural and monaural percentage hearing loss, but he said it's not good for noise-related figures. I'm not in the field, so forgive me if I'm a bit vague here, but from what I understand these algorithms are weighted towards detecting low-frequency hearing loss, whereas noise-related hearing loss is more concerned with high frequencies.
We don't have internet access at work yet, so I told him I'd have a look at home. I've been looking on the web for about an hour and a half now, but haven't managed to find anything specific enough.
If you could provide an algorithm/program for this, we'd be most appreciative.
Western Australia
Reply ----------------------------
I have previously posted a reply regarding "noise-induced hearing loss" that may provide some helpful information for you. Refer to "previous responses" at the main ENT page of OFCN. In the United States, compensation for employment-related noise-induced hearing loss varies from state to state as do the formulas upon which worker's compensation is based. There are some generic guidlelines available from the American Medical Association who publish a guide to the evaluation of impairment which has a section covering hearing loss. Also, in the United States, there are formal hearing conservation guidlelines and programs for employers established by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Helpful references regarding occupational hearing conservation and assessment can be found in "The Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America" volume 24 (2) April, 1991 entitled "Clinical Audiology". There are a couple of chapters in this publication which most likely would provide more than enough information for you.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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