PDC 104: Hearing Protector Fit Testing Administrator – NEW!

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

CM Credit Hours: 7 

*Please note: PDCs are at an additional cost, and preregistration is required*
To register, please visit: https://aihaconnect.org/register

The ability to hear and communicate is essential to workplace safety. When auditory function is impaired, safety, performance and quality of life are affected. Workers face significant risk for noise-induced hearing loss due to widespread noise exposure across many industries.

Effective hearing loss prevention strategies must influence and motivate both individual and organizational change. One such strategy is the use of appropriate hearing protection devices, or HPDs. An appropriate HPD provides adequate attenuation, fits properly and does not interfere with personal protective equipment or job duties.

Hearing protector fit testing, or HPFT, ensures personnel using HPDs are trained and able to achieve adequate protection in their noise environment. The Defense Health Agency Hearing Center of Excellence is coordinating HPFT implementation across the Department of Defense to expedite adoption of new HPFT requirements and establish a consistent program across all units and workplaces.

Historically, HPFT was cumbersome, expensive and not scalable to the department's needs. Recent technological advances have addressed these challenges, and DOD Instruction 6055.12, Hearing Conservation, now requires HPFT for specific populations.

To support implementation, the center developed a hybrid training program for personnel assigned to conduct HPFT, including audiologists, hearing technicians, industrial hygienists, occupational and environmental health and safety personnel, and others. The course includes two parts: a foundational overview of HPFT and a hands-on practicum to demonstrate proficiency with HPFT equipment. This ensures access to qualified HPFT administrators and properly fitted HPDs across all levels of service.

Because the center's training is limited to the DOD community, the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation developed a course equivalent to the first part of the DOD training, available through its learning center. While the CAOHC course does not include a hands-on practicum, the council strongly recommends students receive hands-on instruction before conducting on-site testing.

This course aims to close the gap between DOD programs and the civilian sector by providing basic training and hands-on exercises with various HPFT equipment models. It supports successful HPFT program implementation for industrial hygienists and safety professionals in any workplace.

*Registration includes boxed luncheon. **Power strips will not be provided at each attendee's seat; however, laptop charging stations will be provided in each course room.

• Introduction and Trainer Role Overview
• Review of Hearing Protector (HPD) types and Fit Testing
o Types of HPD
o Types of HPFT systems currently available
o Discussion on upcoming HPFT systems
• Demonstration and Practice of Teaching Fit Testing
o Lighted Ear Exam / Otoscopy
 Demonstrate how to conduct lighted ear exam
 Demonstrate basic otoscopy
 Discussion/ pictures on when to refer workers to an audiologist/ occupational health
 Practical Exercise: Students conduct a lighted ear exam/ otoscopy on a partner
o Expert Fit of HPD
 Demonstrate how to expertly fit HPDs to various ears
 Practical Exercise: Students conduct an expert fit on a partner
o Conducting HPFT on various systems
 Demonstrate using the following HPFT systems: Edare LLC Wireless Automated Hearing Test System (WAHTS) audiometer, 3M E-A-R Fit system, Michael and Associates FitCheck Solo system, and potentially the Howard Leight PIP VeriPro System
 Students will practice on each type of HPFT system at least once
o Demonstrate Practicum Step-by-Step
 One instructor demonstrates how to use the practicum checklist while another instructor completes the steps of HPFT
• If time allows, show how to correct an individual who completes steps incorrectly
• Describe what to do if the individual is inadequately prepared to conduct a practicum
o Final Practical Exercise: Student-Practicum Practice
 Have students partner up
 Students will serve as practicum instructors and testers
 Students will switch roles
 Take questions during and after the practical exercise
• Documentation demonstration / best practices
o Review one-page HPFT Flow Chart / Troubleshooting guide (DOD open-source product)
o Review User Manual (DOD open-source product)
o Discuss methods for keeping records, including the DOD's mandatory report (Department of Defense Form 3126)
o Review other helpful materials
• Q&A, Troubleshooting, and Wrap-Up
 

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Communicate the importance of implementing an HPFT program in their workplace to decision-making personnel.
• Conduct a lighted ear exam on a worker and apply examination skills to proceed with fitting the worker with an HPD or refer to the company's Occupational Health/Audiology service.
• Summarize the process of conducting HPFT on workers, as it applies to their workplace/facility or job title.
• Use three (3) different HPFT systems (and associated software) through practical exercise.
• Demonstrate HPFT competency by completing at least one (1) competency worksheet with an instructor present on the HPFT system which most closely matches the system available in their workplace.
• Develop an implementation plan to conduct HPFT in their current workplace.
 

Attendees should know if they have HPFT equipment available at their workplace, to personalize the practicum checklist. 

Attendees will gain the following skills: lighted ear exams, expert fitting of hearing protection, and hearing protector fit testing. They will also receive a completed hearing protector fit testing competency checklist. 

The professional development course will give attendees the skills to conduct hearing protector fit testing on employees and train others to do the same within their facilities, without shifting the cost of implementing a program to an outside contractor or agency. 

None

Introductory

Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention

Risk Management

Education and training

Hearing conservation and noise reduction

Personal protective equipment

Safety

In-person

Practitioner

Hands-on demonstrations and practicum

Practical Application

Problem Solving /Practice Exercises

Small Group Discussion 

Test/Quiz