Hearing Surveillance Chart--a tool for tracking serial audiometry results and predicting future hearing impairment.
High frequency hearing loss is related to noise-induced deafness. We decided to develop a method of recording serial audiogram results that would provide an accessible overview of trends for an individual. Health & Safety Executive (HSE) warning and referral levels for high frequency hearing losses were plotted against age. A third line was added to indicate a level of 'significant' handicap. This graph is inserted in each individual's hearing surveillance record. High frequency hearing loss results are plotted for each ear over time. Someone with known hearing loss but minimal deterioration will exceed the HSE warning level at every review, whereas someone with perfect hearing suffering a significant deterioration may not exceed the warning level initially. The latter should be of more concern to their current employer.
MacLurg
K
K
Occupational Health Service, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Belfast BT2 7AD, UK. katherine.maclurg@dhsspsni.gov.uk
McCaughan
J
J
McQuillan
P
P
D001299:Audiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006316:Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors