This seminar and luncheon are provided free of charge as a courtesy of 3M/E-A-R/Peltor. However, enrollment is limited and your registration must be confirmed in advance. We recommend you register promptly.

Hearing Protection Devices and Hearing Conservation Programs
April 17, 2012
Embassy Suites Pittsburg International Airport
550 Cherrington Parkway
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(ph) 412-269-9070
(fax) 412-262-4119

Faculty
Elliott H. Berger
Laurie Wells

Course Description
Administration of a comprehensive and effective hearing conservation/hearing loss prevention program consists of more than merely purchasing and dispensing hearing protectors. Audiometric testing, education and motivation, and program evaluation are but a few of the additional important aspects of an overall program. This seminar will review these issues and others in a practical and realistic manner, providing state-of-the-art recommendations to ensure protection of the worker and compliance with the law.

Emphasis will be placed upon an understanding of how hearing protectors function, how they are tested and rated, how they perform in the real world, and how they affect employees' ability to function on their jobs. Commercially available products will be discussed with respect to their performance and selection, fit, use, and care. The emerging technique of fit testing will also be explored.

Successful implementation of a program via education, motivation, supervision, and team work, will be stressed. Effective use of annual audiometric testing, identification of standard threshold shifts (STSs), determination of work relatedness, and take-home training skills, will also be examined.

Who Should Attend?
The program is designed for industrial, government, and military personnel who are involved in, or responsible for hearing conservation and the dispensing of hearing protection devices. Students normally include industrial hygienists, health and safety personnel, nurses, audiologists, consultants, engineers, and medical staff. Applicants should possess a basic understanding of noise measurement terminology and existing noise legislation, although attendance is open to all who are interested.

Continuing Education Full-day attendance with arrival no later than 8:15am and completion of a course evaluation form. A full description of requirements for satisfactory completion is available upon request. Industrial Hygienists ABIH has previously awarded CM credit for this event. The current event contains 6.5 hours which can be claimed for CM credit. Occupational Health Nurses The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) has approved 6.5 CNE Contact hours. AAOHN is an accredited approver of continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. AAOHN accreditation does not imply endorsement of the commercial products displayed. Audiologists 0.6 Academy CEUs through the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). Approval does not imply endorsement of course content, commercial products displayed, or clinical procedures. This program is offered for 0.6 CEUs (Intermediate level; Professional area). ASHA approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures. At least one of the following conditions must be met to be eligible for ASHA CEUs ASHA Member (includes Life member and International affiliates) ASHA Certificate of Clinic Competence (CCC) holder Licensed by state or provincial regulatory agency to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology Credentialed by a state regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology Credentialed by a national regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology Currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral program in SLP or audiology

Materials Provided
A binder containing articles and reports pertinent to the seminar and a note pad will be provided. Binder contents include copies of the lecturers' PowerPoint slides, various pamphlets and booklets, references and recommended readings.

Program

7:30 AM - Registration

8:00 AM - Hearing protection-testing, rating, and performance
Sound transmission thru a hearing protector, bone conduction, laboratory measurements re ANSI standards, ratings such as the NRR, real-world performance, derating attenuation, dual protection

9:15 AM - Coffee break

9:30 AM - Selection, fitting, use and care
Review of popular products sold today with guidance on selection and use as well as lessons learned from 30-years of experience, fit-testing using the latest technology available today

10:45 AM - Break

11:00 AM - Communication in noise
Effects of hearing protectors on the audibility of speech and other sounds, tips for communicating, localization, high-fidelity and level-dependent devices, active noise reduction

12:00 PM - Complimentary buffet luncheon

1:00 PM - Overview of Hearing Loss Prevention Programs
Elements of a hearing loss prevention program, building the team, identifying the players and developing teamwork, best practice vs. a compliance approach to hearing loss prevention

1:15 PM - Studying for Your Hearing Testing: True or False
Principles, practices, and regulations pertaining to hearing testing will be illustrated by examining common misconceptions and oversights, such as required test frequencies, technician certification, baseline revision, etc, practical ideas for program enhancement

2:15 PM - Break

2:30 PM - Recordable Hearing Loss and Determination of Work Relatedness
Definitions and calculation of standard threshold shift (STS), factors in determining work relatedness including contribution of non-occupational exposures, discussion of case studies

3:15 PM - Hearing Forward: The Future Ears
Training tips and resources, with emphasis on the importance of motivation in achieving true hearing conservation effectiveness

4:00 PM - Administrative Issues and CEUs
Evaluations and CEU applications
Raffle for crystal singing bowl ($175 value - must be present to win)

4:15 PM - Adjourn

Registration

Register here on-line or fax or mail your registration to :
Cyd Kladden
3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Division
7911 Zionsville Road
Indianapolis IN 46268
317-692-3116 - fax
317-692-3066 - voice
email: seminars.hearing@mmm.com

Please let us know in advance if you have special needs or require an assistive listening device.

Pittsburgh, PA


* All "Yellow" fields are required for registration.