How to Be Industrial Audiologic Hygienist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 2, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Industrial audiologic hygienists are healthcare professionals who specialize in promoting hearing health in the workplace. They work to identify and assess potential sources of hazardous noise, analyze noise levels and exposures, and develop strategies to reduce noise exposure in order to protect the hearing of workers. The effect of their work is significant, with the potential to prevent hearing loss, tinnitus, and other noise-induced health issues.

Industrial audiologic hygienists have a thorough understanding of acoustics, physics, anatomy, and physiology, as well as knowledge of relevant regulations, standards, and safety protocols. they must have a keen eye for detail, good organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively with all levels of personnel throughout an organization.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Industrial audiologic hygienists must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be considered for most positions.
Enroll in a bachelor's degree program. Industrial audiologic hygienists must earn a bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, occupational health, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Complete an internship. Most employers require industrial audiologic hygienists to have some hands-on experience in the field, which can be obtained through an internship or apprenticeship.
Obtain certification. Certification is not mandatory, but some employers may require it or prefer candidates who are certified. Certification is available through organizations such as the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC).
Take continuing education courses. Industrial audiologic hygienists must take continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on the latest technology, safety protocols, and health standards.

Industrial audiologic hygienists are highly qualified professionals who play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of workers in a variety of industries. They are responsible for identifying, assessing and controlling noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace. In order to achieve this, they must have extensive knowledge of the impact of hazardous noise levels, acoustic engineering principles and the ability to apply noise control measures.

The combination of these skills results in effective identification, assessment and control of hazardous noise levels in the workplace, thus minimizing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Without the expertise and dedication of industrial audiologic hygienists, workers would be at an increased risk of developing hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to hazardous noise levels.

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Job Description

Monitor and evaluate employee noise exposures in the workplace.
Develop and implement noise control measures to reduce employee noise exposure.
Maintain records of employee noise exposures and noise control measures.
Create educational materials and programs for employees about hearing conservation and safety.
Monitor employee hearing tests and audiometric evaluations.
Collect and analyze data to identify potential health risks associated with industrial noise exposure.
Develop and implement engineering and administrative controls to reduce noise levels.
Develop and document hearing conservation programs, including training and education of employees on the proper use of hearing protection devices.
Collaborate with management and safety personnel to ensure compliance with applicable hearing conservation regulations.
Conduct research on the impact of industrial noise on hearing health and safety.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations related to industrial noise exposure
Knowledge of industrial noise measurement methods, standards and control techniques
Ability to conduct industrial noise surveys and testing
Ability to analyze and interpret data from noise measurements
Ability to develop noise control strategies and recommend solutions to reduce worker noise exposure
Knowledge of audiometric testing principles and procedures
Ability to administer, interpret, and record audiometric tests
Knowledge of hearing conservation principles, policies, and practices
Ability to develop and implement hearing conservation programs
Knowledge of the effects of noise on hearing
Ability to provide training and education on noise and hearing loss prevention
Knowledge of medical and legal aspects of hearing loss prevention
Ability to communicate effectively with management, employees, and other stakeholders

An Industrial Audiologic Hygienist is a professional tasked with protecting the hearing of workers in industrial settings. The most important skill for this role is being able to identify, assess and mitigate potential noise hazards in the workplace. This involves being knowledgeable about noise sources, understanding the impact of noise on hearing, and implementing strategies to reduce or eliminate hazardous noise.

In addition, Industrial Audiologic Hygienists must be able to accurately measure noise levels, identify the best hearing protection solutions, and provide hearing conservation training for employees. They also need to be able to develop and implement sound engineering controls to reduce the amount of noise in the workplace. Being organized and detail-oriented are also essential skills for this role, as Industrial Audiologic Hygienists must keep accurate records of their findings and monitor the effectiveness of their solutions over time.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as an industrial audiological hygienist?
How would you assess the hearing safety of industrial worksites?
Describe a time when you had to develop an innovative solution to an audiological hazard.
How do you stay current with changes in hearing conservation practices?
What strategies do you use to ensure the accuracy of hearing tests?
Explain how your background in occupational health and safety informs your work as an industrial audiological hygienist.
What challenges have you faced in conducting hearing evaluations?
Describe how you communicate difficult hearing safety information to workers.
What methods do you use to ensure workers are consistently using hearing protection gear?
How do you handle difficult questions from workers about the results of their hearing tests?

Common Tools in Industry

Audiometric Testing Equipment. Equipment used to measure a persons hearing ability and detect any hearing impairments. (Eg: Audiometer)
Noise Dosimetry Equipment. Equipment used to measure the total noise exposure of a worker in an industrial environment. (Eg: Sound Level Meter)
Hearing Protection Devices. Devices used to protect workers from excessive noise levels. (Eg: Ear Plugs)
Air Sampling Equipment. Equipment used to measure the amount of airborne contaminants present in an industrial environment. (Eg: Dust Monitor)
Ventilation Systems. Systems used to reduce the amount of airborne contaminants by improving air quality. (Eg: Air Purifier)
Computer Software. Software used to analyze data collected from various industrial hygiene monitoring equipment. (Eg: Data Analysis Program)
Protective Clothing. Clothing worn by workers to protect them from hazardous materials or extreme temperatures. (Eg: Laboratory Coat)
Safety Training Programs. Programs designed to educate workers on safety practices and procedures. (Eg: Hazard Communication Training Program)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC)
National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA)
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE)
National Council for Safety and Health (NCSH)

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Common Important Terms

Noise Exposure. Exposure to loud noises that can cause hearing damage or hearing loss.
Audiometric Testing. The process of measuring a person's hearing ability through a series of tests.
Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs). Devices worn to protect against hearing damage from loud noise exposure.
Hearing Conservation Program. A program designed to reduce the risk of hearing damage from noise exposure.
Occupational Noise Exposure. Exposure to excessive noise levels in the workplace, which can cause hearing damage or loss.
Hearing Conservation Regulations. Regulations that set forth the requirements for protecting workers from noise exposure.
Noise Control. Measures taken to reduce the level of noise in the workplace.
Decibels (dB). A unit of measure used to quantify the intensity of sound.
Hearing Loss. A decrease in hearing ability due to damage to the auditory system.
Audiologist. A medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Industrial Audiologic Hygienist?

An Industrial Audiologic Hygienist is a healthcare professional who specializes in preventing and managing hearing loss in the workplace due to hazardous noise levels.

What type of qualifications does an Industrial Audiologic Hygienist need?

Industrial Audiologic Hygienists must have a masters degree in audiology or a related field, as well as certification in industrial audiologic hygiene.

What are the responsibilities of an Industrial Audiologic Hygienist?

The primary responsibility of an Industrial Audiologic Hygienist is to identify and evaluate hazardous noise levels in the workplace, and to develop and implement strategies to reduce or eliminate these hazardous noise levels.

What type of environment does an Industrial Audiologic Hygienist work in?

Industrial Audiologic Hygienists typically work in manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and other noisy environments.

What type of equipment does an Industrial Audiologic Hygienist use?

Industrial Audiologic Hygienists use specialized sound level meters and other noise monitoring equipment to measure and analyze hazardous noise levels in the workplace.

Web Resources

What is an Industrial Hygienist? | Midwest Center for www.mcohs.umn.edu
Industrial Hygiene: Keeping Workers Healthy and Safe www.hsph.harvard.edu
How to Become an Industrial Hygienist - Columbia Southern www.columbiasouthern.edu