Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation Hearing Conservation Manual, 4th ed.
Author: Alice H. Suter, Ph.D.
Editor: Elliott H. Berger, M.S.
ISBN O-9723143-0-X
Submitted by Angela S. Williamson, LtCol, USAF, BSC, Au.D., Past President Military Audiology Association
The professional bookshelf of the Audiologist is likely filled with texts to provide guidance on interpretation of evoked potentials, electronystagmography, and otoacoustic emissions. There would also be step by step instructions to perform real ear tests with hearing aids, and tips on how best to counsel and advise patients with tinnitus. Most professionals know they can refer to that “key” text to find the answer to their questions on a given specific component of Audiology. The user of the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) Hearing Conservation Manual, 4th edition by Alice Suter will likely think of that as their “key” to answer questions that may arise about hearing conservation program management.
From the thorough Table of Contents to the numerous Appendices and ending with a detailed Index, the fourth edition of the manual has been updated, rewritten, clarified and enhanced from the previous edition of a decade ago. Dr. Suter’s work will be appreciated by hearing conservation students and veteran audiologists alike, and while it is intended for Hearing Conservation Course Directors and their students, there is valuable information here for the occupational health nurse and physician, industrial hygienist and working hearing conservationist.
Veteran course directors will likely find information presented in fresh ways, which they can incorporate to enliven their courses. A nice addition is the chapter discussing worker counseling, training and motivation to use hearing protection. Tips are included to determine whether the audiogram is inconsistent, and how to handle an unusual audiogram. Of course, the basics of audiometric testing, calibration, ear exams, and the importance of accurate recordkeeping are covered in a clear, readable fashion.
A highlight of the Manual is contained in Chapter 6 with a table that presents OSHA, MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) and NIOSH differences for various issues such as Action Level, Permissible Exposure Limit, Exchange Rate and Monitoring, to name just a few. Presented in this format, the differences are easy to see and understand, and answers can be obtained quickly to questions of policy from the various agencies’ documents.
Many appendices are included; notable are three complete ANSI standards, an EARLog and the NHCA Professional Guide for Audiometric Baseline Revision. The Manual conveniently brings together most every reference needed when working in the hearing conservation specialty.
For the individual involved in hearing conservation, this manual will be a welcome addition to the reference library and one that will be used again and again.