INTRODUCTION

*[Purpose]{.underline}*

The purpose of the Hearing Loss Prevention Program is to enable
qualified individuals to educate and train employees on hearing loss
prevention requirements as they relate to hazards in their workplace.
This is an introductory course^1^, which presents minimum training
requirements in accordance with OSHA 1910.95 Noise Exposure Standard and
facility policy. Upon completion of this course, participants will train
the employees under their supervision.

*[Course Objectives]{.underline}*

-   · To comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1910.95, Hearing Protection

-   · To ensure staff awareness of potential causes of hearing loss
    (e.g., noise) in the workplace and the understanding of protective
    measures provided by the facility

*[Target Audience]{.underline}*

All new employees (paid, non-paid, volunteers, residents, interns,
students, etc. - full or part-time, intermittent or temporary)
particularly those who may be exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA
(under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies.)

*[Qualifications of Trainer(s)]{.underline}*

Trainer must be knowledgeable with OSHA's Noise Exposure Standard and
its requirements and Medical Center related Policies and Procedures. The
Trainer must be able to describe:

-   · The contents of this package

-   · Methods and observations that may be used in detecting hearing
    loss hazards

-   · Knowledge of potential causes of hearing loss and the use of
    hearing protection

-   · Knowledge of facility policy and procedures

*[Frequency of Training]{.underline}*

-   · Upon initial assignment

-   · As necessary to insure employee knowledgeability

-   · When new noise hazards are introduced in the employee's work area

-   · Whenever an employee exhibits unsafe work practices.

^1^ More information regarding appropriate training can be found in OSHA
Publication No. 2254 which contains voluntary training guidelines
prepared by OSHA's Training Institute. A copy of this document is
available from OSHA's Publications Office at (202) 219-4667.

*[Other Related Standards]{.underline}*

-   · 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

-   · 29 CFR 1926.2 l -- Training under construction

-   · 1926.52 -- Construction Standard (1910.95 was not adopted under
    construction)

*[Time Required for Training]{.underline}*

Time required to complete this training is 1 hour.

*[Training Material]{.underline}*

This training package consists of a binder containing slides, speaker's
notes, handouts, supplementary material (OSHA Publication 3074, Hearing
Conservation), evaluation tools, a training manual, a video, a CD-ROM,
and a diskette.

The diskette contains the Microsoft Word 97 and Microsoft PowerPoint 97
files. Trainers can easily edit, revise and update the slides,
transparencies, speaker's notes and handouts to include facility
specific information (see Appendix B for more information on computer
installation, slide presentation and file names.)

*[Training Manual]{.underline}*

The training manual is designed to be used by facility personnel to
conduct Hearing Loss Prevention training. Material developed here is for
the training of supervisors. The entire training program has been
developed as a slide (or a transparency) presentation. Speaker's notes,
which accompany each slide, are intended to provide the guidance to
elaborate on the topics. You should use your own words, examples and
experience to give the information. *Do not read the speaker\'s notes to
the participants*. Supplement this course with training items that are
specific to your facility. If you like, add questions on such additional
training to the post-test included in the training package. One question
in the post-test has been identified as facility specific. You should
ensure that the question has been properly worded and the training
session covers the necessary information.

*[Training Module Presentation]{.underline}*

Even if your Facility has a well developed written policy and a
comprehensive training program, it is suggested that you review the
material in this training package to see if it can supplement your
Facility program. Specifically, ensure that your Facility program
includes the following items:

1\. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR
1910.95, Hearing Protection

2\. OSHA Publication 3074, Hearing Conservation

3\. CD-ROM

-   · *Hearing Conservation,* Summit Training Source, Inc.

4\. Video

-   · *Hearing Protection - Sounds Good to Me!,* Coastal Video
    Communications Corp*.*

You, the instructor, should decide how the material should be presented
to convey your concern for the safety of your employees. You can easily
achieve the training goals by following the course outline. However, you
must address the following:

-   · Training in the use and care of all hearing protectors provided to
    employees.

-   · Training for all employees who are exposed to noise at or above an
    8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, and shall ensure
    employee participation in such program.

-   · The training program shall be repeated annually for each employee
    included in the hearing conservation program. Information provided
    in the training program shall be updated to be consistent with
    changes in protective equipment and work processes.

-   · Ensure that each employee is informed of the following:

\(a\) The effects of noise on hearing

\(b\) The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages,
and attenuation of various types and instructions on selection, fitting,
use and care.

\(c\) The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test
procedures.

There is a video and a CD-ROM in this training package. The video has
its own booklet. The quiz in the booklet can be used to assess course
effectiveness.

After you have reviewed the training package and if you still have
concerns or problems with any of the items mentioned above, contact the
Safety and/or Industrial Hygiene Office for assistance.

*[Assessment/Evaluation]{.underline}*

There are three evaluation forms: (1) Evaluation by Trainer, (2)
Evaluation by trainee, and (3) Training Documentation. The trainer
should ensure that these evaluations are completed by appropriate people
and returned to:

Employee Education System Little Rock Center (138E)

Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System

North Little Rock Division

2200 Fort Roots Drive

North Little Rock, AR 72114-1706

Hearing Loss Prevention

COURSE OUTLINE I. Introduction

II\. Course Objectives

III\. Video Presentation: 11 Min.

*Hearing Protection - Sounds Good to Me!*

IV\. Content Outline (Speaker's Notes)

A. Local Facility Information

B. Hearing Protectors

-   · General

-   · Types of Hearing Protectors

-   · Selection and Use

C. Hearing Safety Guidelines

D. Hearing Loss

-   · Locations

-   · Causes

-   · Types

E. VA Program

F. Test to Recognize Hearing Loss

V. Questions and Answers

VI\. Conclusion

Assessment/Evaluation

[Presentation Time]{.underline}

1 Hour

[Methodology]{.underline}

1\. Lecture

2\. Video Presentation

3\. Demonstration

[Supplementary Material]{.underline}

1\. OSHA Publication 3074, *Hearing Conservation*

2\. CD-ROM

Hearing Loss Prevention

CONTENT OUTLINE AND SLIDE REFERENCES***[Program Title]{.underline}***

\# 1 Hearing Loss Prevention

***[A. Local Facility Information]{.underline}***

\# 2 Local Facility Information

***[B. Hearing Protectors]{.underline}***

GENERAL

\# 3 Hearing Protectors

TYPES

\# 4 Types of Hearing Protectors (1)

\# 5 Types of Hearing Protectors (2)

\# 6 Types of Hearing Protectors (3)

\# 7 Types of Hearing Protectors (4)

SELECTION AND USE

\# 8 General Considerations

***[C. Hearing Safety Guidelines]{.underline}***

\# 9 Hearing Safety

***[D. Hearing Loss]{.underline}***

LOCATIONS

\# 10 Location Requiring Noise Protection

CAUSES

\# 11 Causes of Hearing Loss

TYPES

\# 12 Types of Hearing Loss

***[E. VA Program]{.underline}***

\# 13 Professional Team

\# 14 Hearing Threshold Shift (1)

\# 15 Hearing Threshold Shift (2)

\# 16 Hearing Threshold Shift (3)

***[F. Test to Recognize Hearing Loss]{.underline}***

\# 17 Test Yourself to Recognize Hearing Loss (1)

\# 18 Test Yourself to Recognize Hearing Loss (2)

\# 19 Test Yourself to Recognize Hearing Loss (3)