R 408.22115 Recording criteria for cases involving occupational hearing loss, after January 1, 2003.

Rule 1115. (1) If an employee's hearing test (audiogram) reveals that the employee has experienced a work-related standard threshold shift (STS) in hearing in 1 or both ears, and the employee's total hearing level is 25 decibels (dB) or more above audiometric zero (averaged at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) in the same ear or ears as the STS, you must record the case on the MIOSHA 300 Log, column 5. (2) What is a standard threshold shift? A standard threshold shift, or STS, is defined in Occupational Health Standard Part 380 “Occupational Noise Exposure in General Industry” as referenced in R 408.22102a, as a change in hearing threshold, relative to the baseline audiogram for that employee, of an average of 10 decibels (dB) or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz (Hz) in 1 or both ears. (3) How do I evaluate the current audiogram to determine whether an employee has an STS and a 25 dB hearing level? (a) If the employee has never previously experienced a recordable hearing loss, then you must compare the employee's current audiogram with that employee's baseline audiogram. If the employee has previously experienced a recordable hearing loss, then you must compare the employee's current audiogram with the employee's revised baseline audiogram, which is the audiogram reflecting the employee's previous recordable hearing loss case. (b) 25 dB loss. Audiometric test results reflect the employee's overall hearing ability in comparison to audiometric zero. Therefore, using the employee's current audiogram, you must use the average hearing level at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz to determine if the employee's total hearing level is 25 dB or more. (4) May I adjust the current audiogram to reflect the effects of aging on hearing? Yes. When you are determining whether an STS has occurred, you may age adjust the employee's current audiogram results by using Table 4, as appropriate, from Occupational Health Standard Part 380 “Occupational Noise Exposure in General Industry” as referenced in R 408.22102a. You may not use an age adjustment when determining whether the employee's total hearing level is 25 dB or more above audiometric zero. (5) Am I required to record the hearing loss if I am going to retest the employee's hearing? No. If you retest the employee's hearing within 30 days of the first test, and the retest does not confirm the recordable STS, you are not required to record the hearing loss case on the MIOSHA 300 Log. If the retest confirms the recordable STS, you must record the hearing loss illness within 7 calendar days of the retest. If subsequent audiometric testing performed under the testing requirements of Occupational Health Standard Part 380 “Occupational Noise Exposure in General Industry” as referenced in R 408.22102a, indicates that an STS is not persistent, then you may erase or line-out the recorded entry. (6) Are there any special rules for determining whether a hearing loss case is work-related? No. You must use the requirements in R 408.22110 to R 408.22110b to determine if the hearing loss is work-related. If an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the hearing loss, or significantly aggravated a pre-existing hearing loss, you must consider the case to be work-related. (7) If a physician or other licensed health care professional determines that the hearing loss is not work-related or has not been significantly aggravated by occupational noise exposure, you are not required to consider the case work-related or to record the case on the MIOSHA 300 Log. (8) How do I complete the MIOSHA 300 Log for a hearing loss case? When you enter a recordable hearing loss case on the MIOSHA 300 Log, you must check the 300 Log column for hearing loss.