Hearing Conservation
VCU Occupational Health and VCU Industrial Hygiene partner to manage the hearing conservation program at VCU. The program focuses on preventing permanent hearing loss caused by exposure to high levels of noise as well as short-term exposure to loud noice that can cause a temporary change in hearing.
The program helps identify high-risk jobs and areas, provides sound and noise monitoring, and provides hearing conservation training and program management. Some jobs at VCU may require employee baseline and annual audiometric testing.
Workplace Noise Exposure Evaluation
A comprehensive evaluation of noise exposure in the workplace is essential for VCU employee well-being. The evaluation begins with conducting a thorough assessment to determine whether the noise level in a space exceeds or is likely to exceed the hazardous noise exposure limit. If an individual has to raise their voice to be heard three feet away, the workplace is likely over the limit for noise exposure.
As a part of the evaluation, VCU Safety and Risk Management staff will investigate the noise conditions in a space and provide actionable recommendations aimed at effectively controlling noise at its source.
Training
Hearing conservation awareness training is provided through SciShield (if you are not logged into BioRaft, click on "course directory" and choose "Hearing Conservation Awareness").
Employees whose work area exceeds recommended noise limits must complete this training every year. Additionally, others who are interested in hearing loss prevention are also encouraged to view the training.
Hearing Protection
If a work area exceeds the hazardous noise exposure limits, SRM can help find the right hearing protection devices based on employee comfort, level of noise exposure, the noise reduction rating of a device, the type of work being performed, and environmental conditions. Multiple devices may be required based on the noise level.
Audiometric Testing
Audiometric testing can identify occupational hearing loss and is provided to employees whose area exceeds the noise limit averaged over the course of their work shift. The baseline audiogram is the reference test comparing future audiograms. Annual audiograms are required each year after the initial, baseline audiogram.
Contact Occupational Health & Safety
For questions about our Hearing Conservation Program please reach out to a member of our team: