Audiometric "early flags" for occupational hearing loss.
OBJECTIVE
OSHA criteria for recording occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) do not ensure early detection, yet scientific consensus is lacking regarding optimal "early flags" for NIHL. This study compares early flag metrics to the subsequent development of recordable hearing loss.


METHODS
In a longitudinal analysis of industrial audiograms, we calculated time from flag event to recordable hearing loss as well as 10 year risk of recordable hearing loss following flag occurrence.


RESULTS
The 10 dB non-age-corrected STS and the 8 dB age-corrected shift at 2, 3, and 4 kHz optimally combined positive predictive value and length of time to recordable hearing loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Professionals supervising audiometric surveillance must balance predictive value of early flags with timeliness of detection. This study provides a framework for validation and selection of audiometric early flags in hearing conservation settings.
Rabinowitz
Peter M
PM
Yale University School of Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Peter.rabinowitz@yale.edu
Galusha
Deron
D
Ernst
Christine Dixon
CD
Slade
Martin D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors