Resource Guide for Hearing Conservation/Occupational Audiologists

• Hearing Conservation Regulations
• ASHA Practice Policy Documents for Hearing Conservation/Occupational Audiologists
• Focused Topics
• Coding and Reimbursement Resources
• Selected ASHA Journal Articles
• Patient/Employee Education Materials
• Continuing Education Opportunities
• Special Interest Groups
• Selected ASHA Products
• Professional and Consumer Organizations

Hearing Conservation Regulations

• Introduction by Sharon L. Beamer, AuD, CCC-A
• The Modern Evolution of Hearing Conservation Regulations by Theresa Y. Schulz, PhD, CCC-A
• Table of Regulations and Guidelines [PDF] by Theresa Y. Schulz, PhD, CCC-A
• ASHA's Response to OSHA Solicitation for Input (2010) [PDF]

ASHA Practice Policy Documents for Hearing Conservation/Occupational Audiologists

All of the ASHA Practice Policy documents are available to the public and professionals. ASHA's new Practice Portal offers one-stop access to resources to guide evidence-based decision-making.

• Guidelines for Manual Pure-Tone Threshold Audiometry (2005)
• The Audiologist's Role in Occupational Hearing Conservation and Hearing Loss Prevention Programs - Position Statement (2004)
• Issues: Occupational and Environmental Hearing Conservation - Relevant Paper (1997)
• The Audiologist's Role in Occupational and Environmental Hearing Conservation - Position Statement (1996)
• External Auditory Canal Examination and Cerumen Management - Guidelines, Knowledge and Skills, Position Statement (1992)
• Audiometric Symbols - Guidelines (1990)

Focused Topics

• Focused Topics in Audiology - Locate detailed information about coding and reimbursement, hearing detection and conservation, hearing loss and related disorders, multicultural topics, practice management, rehabilitation, and technology.
• ASHA Access Audiology E-newsletter - Read the current issue and learn how to subscribe.

Coding and Reimbursement Resources

• ASHA Coding and Reimbursement
• Coding and Reimbursement Articles
• For-sale products to help with reimbursement

Selected ASHA Journal Articles

• Outcomes Analysis for Hearing Conservation Programs. Helfer, T.M., Shields, A.R., & Gates, K.E. (2000). American Journal of Audiology, 9, 75–83.
• The Effectiveness of an Educational Hearing Conservation Program for Elementary School Children. Chermak, G.D., & Peters-McCarthy, E. (1991). Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 22, 308–312.
• The Effectiveness of an Interactive Hearing Conservation Program for Elementary School Children. Chermak, G.D., Curtis, L., & Seikel, J.A. (1996). Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 27, 29–39.
• A Study of Noise Exposure and Hearing Sensitivity in a High School Woodworking Class. Lankford, J.E., & West, D.M. (1993). Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 24, 167–173.
• Hearing Conservation Training of Industrial Technology Teachers. Plakke, B.L. (1991). Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 22, 134–138.
• Hearing Conservation in Secondary Industrial Arts Classes: A Challenge for School Audiologists. Plakke, B.L. (1985). Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 16, 75–79.
• Hearing Conservation in Hunter Education Programs, Woodford, C.M., & Lass, N.J. (1994). American Journal of Audiology, 3(2) , 8–10.

Patient/Employee Education Materials

Patient/employee education newsletters and other consumer information brochures and informational leaflets are a valuable resource for hearing conservation/occupational audiologists. Below are links to some selected products. To find additional materials, visit the ASHA online store or contact ASHA Product Sales at 888-498-6699.

For sale items:

• How Do I Know If I Have a Hearing Loss? (brochure)
• How to Destroy Your Ears Slowly (poster)
• Noise: Bad for Your Hearing. Bad for Your Health! (Spanish brochure)
• Making the Most of Your New Hearing Aids (brochure)
• My Audiologist Recommends Hearing Aids...Now What? (brochure)
• Noise Levels for Everyday Sounds (poster)
• The Noisy Classroom (brochure)
• Tinnitus (brochure)
• Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss (brochure)
• Understanding Your Child's Hearing Aids (brochure)
• Unilateral Hearing Loss: A Parent's Guide (brochure)

Other printable patient/employee materials:

• Hearing Protection
• The Patient Information Handouts webpage contains links to PDFs on hearing loss in adults and in children.

Additional patient information on hearing, hearing loss, and hearing aids can be found at ASHA's Hearing & Balance webpages.

Continuing Education Opportunities

ASHA Professional Development offers its programs for ASHA continuing education units (CEUs) to help you document your CE participation. These CEUs are recognized by regulatory agencies, employers, and your colleagues as a symbol of your commitment to continued professional development and lifelong learning, as well as a verification of successful completion of a course offered by an ASHA CE provider. ASHA Professional Development course offerings have many choices that may be of interest to hearing conservation/occupational audiologists.

Special Interest Groups

Four Special Interest Groups (SIGs) (6, 7, 8, and 9) focus on audiology issues. SIGs offer continuing education opportunities at no additional cost for affiliates (members in the SIGs).

Below is information about SIGs that may be of interest to hearing conservation/occupational audiologists:

• SIG 6, Hearing and Hearing Disorders: Research and Diagnostics
• SIG 8, Audiology and Public Health
• SIG 14, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Selected ASHA Products

For complete information and selection of ASHA products, go to the ASHA Online Store or contact ASHA Product Sales at 888-498-6699.

• Audiologists: Hear for a Lifetime (Spanish) (brochure)
• Bilingual Audiology Clipboard

Professional and Consumer Organizations

Connect to related professional and consumer organizations.