Title 49

PART 227 APPENDIX F


Appendix F to Part 227 - Calculations and Application of Age Corrections to Audiograms

49:4.1.1.1.21.4.15.1.47 : Appendix F

Appendix F to Part 227 - Calculations and Application of Age Corrections to Audiograms

This appendix is non-mandatory.

In determining whether a standard threshold shift (STS) has occurred, allowance may be made for the contribution of aging to the change in hearing level by adjusting the most recent audiogram. If the employer chooses to adjust the audiogram, the employer shall follow the procedure described below. This procedure and the age correction tables were developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in a criteria document. See “Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Noise,” Department of Health and Human Services (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-126. For each audiometric test frequency:

I. Determine from Tables F-1 or F-2 the age correction values for the employee by:

A. Finding the age at which the most recent audiogram was taken and recording the corresponding values of age corrections at 1000 Hz through 6000 Hz;

B. Finding the age at which the baseline audiogram was taken and recording the corresponding values of age corrections at 1000 Hz through 6000 Hz.

II. Subtract the values found in step (I)(B) from the value found in step (I)(A).

III. The differences calculated in step (II) represented that portion of the change in hearing that may be due to aging.

Example:Employee is a 32-year-old male. The audiometric history for his right ear is shown in decibels below.
Employee's age Audiometric test frequency
(Hz)
1000 2000 3000 4000 6000
26 10 5 5 10 5
27* 0 0 0 5 5
28 0 0 0 10 5
29 5 0 5 15 5
30 0 5 10 20 10
31 5 10 20 15 15
32* 5 10 10 25 20