U.S. Air Force Hearing Conservation Program, Baseline Audiogram Errors
Abstract
Inconsistencies between the United States Air Force Hearing Conservation Program's quarterly reports and local base records were generated by rule changes made to the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System Hearing Conservation/Data Repository (DOEHRS-HC/DR) in 2009. These changes resulted in the usage of older baseline audiograms to calculate significant threshold shifts if the most current baseline audiogram was incorrectly labeled. Records in DOEHRS-DR between January 2009 and February 2013 were reviewed to determine what percent of all records had the most current baseline audiogram incorrectly labeled. Approximately 15% of the 338,760 individuals had incorrect baseline records; from that 15% with incorrect baseline records, 27% (14,171 individuals) developed a positive shift that could have been the result of the baseline audiogram error. However, since 2009, the prevalence and incidence of incorrect baselines have been decreasing; efforts should continue to educate on proper baseline test management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA591603
Entities
People
- Amy Bettano
- Elizabeth Mckenna
- Eric Koenig
- Michelle Lemond
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine