NHCA/CAOHC Past Webinars

The National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) coordinated with the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) to host a NHCA/CAOHC webinar series for 2021/2022. The series offers high-level webinar content on hot topics and top-notch speakers!   

See pricing below. If you are a member of CAOHC or NHCA enjoy special member pricing and discounts.


2021 Webinars:

Topic: Hearing Protection Devices 101 - Fit Testing 

When: December 9, 2021 at 2:15 pm ET 

About the Webinar: This webinar will introduce the concept of HPD Fit-Testing, its application to current hearing conservation programs, the various commercially available HPD Fit-Test methodologies. Finally, a number of lessons learned regarding HPD fit-testing from the Regional Hearing Conservation Program of Record at the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) will be discussed. The intended audience are hearing conservation professionals (e.g., technicians, audiologists, occupational health service providers) who are interested in expanding their field of practice to include HPD fit-testing. 

Presenter: 
Stephanie J. Karch, 
Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A 
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Program Level: Entry-level 

Learning Objectives: 

  • Identify the differences in HPD fit-test methods. 
  • Identify how a Personal Attenuation Rating can be used to determine an appropriate and adequate HPD for the work environment. 
  • Recognize the different applications for HPD fit-testing in a Hearing Conservation Program. 

CEUs: 
No CEUs for live or homestudy

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TopicHearing Protector Fit Testing

When: April 8, 2021 at 2 pm EST

About the Webinar: For over 30 years, hearing conservation professionals have known that the Noise Reduction Rating is not necessarily representative of the protection afforded to the average user of hearing protection. This workshop will present an overview of the technologies available to the hearing conservation professional. During the first part of the session, attendees will learn about different methods to implement fit-testing, benefits of conducting fit testing, and the different methods used by various commercially available fit-testing systems. Information related to the recently approved ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018 performance criteria for standard for hearing protector fit-test systems will be shared.

Presenters: 

William Murphy, B.S., M.S., M.Eng., Ph.D.(BIO)
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Wei Gong, CSP, CIH (BIO)
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Program Level: Introductory

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees will learn how to incorporate hearing protector fit testing in their practices.
  • Attendees will learn about the range of hearing protector fit testing systems available.
  • Attendees will learn about the Personal Attenuation Ratings and how to apply them to estimate noise exposures. Attendees will learn about hearing protector fit-testing resources and case studies.

CEUs:
No CEUs for live or homestudy

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TopicAge Adjustment in Occupational Hearing Conservation Programs

When: May 13, 2021 at 2 pm EST 

About the Webinar: The NIOSH tables used by OSHA to adjust occupational audiograms for the effects of age were developed using cross-sectional trends observed across a small dataset (380 men and 206 women). The data for those tables were collected over 50 years ago and therefore do not account for: (1) reductions in hearing loss prevalence; (2) worker ages beyond 60; (3) race/ethnicity differences; and (4) errors in the application of cross-sectional trends to longitudinal changes of individual workers. In this presentation, we describe nationally-representative cross-sectional trends from NHANES (ages 12 to 85+; N=9937) that closely match longitudinal changes in a large group of noise-exposed workers. These results suggest that the age adjustments ("corrections") in the OSHA Hearing Conservation Amendment over-adjust for current age effects, which would reduce the sensitivity of age-adjusted thresholds to noise induced hearing loss.

Presenters: 
Greg Flamme, Ph.D.
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Kristy Deiters, AuD
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Program Level: Introductory

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the origin of the NIOSH age tables used by OSHA.
  • Identify the differences in cross-sectional hearing loss trends over time.
  • Explain how cross-sectional trends are conceptually different from longitudinal change.
CEUs:
1 hour CEU (AAA and ASHA)
No CEUs offered for home study.
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TopicImpulsive Noise: Understanding, Measuring, and Assessing

When: June 17, 2021
2 pm EST 

About the Webinar: Exposures to high-level impulsive noises such as collisions of objects, firearms, or explosions significantly increase the risk for developing noise induced hearing loss. Although Impulse and impact noise are generated through different processes, they are often grouped into impulsive noise. When measuring impulsive noise, sound level meters may not be the best choice due to technological limitations. The selection and use of microphone, preamplifier, and processing systems are critical to capturing high-quality data. In many cases, recordings are more beneficial than capturing a peak level or a single integrated level to understand the exposure and to mitigate the risk. Understanding technological limitations and learning about specific techniques for capturing and measuring impulse noise can result in accurate and repeatable data.

Presenters: 
Donald Finan, Ph.D.
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Greg Flamme, Ph.D.
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
William Murphy, B.S., M.S., M.Eng., Ph.D.(BIO)
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Program Level: Introductory

Learning Objectives:

  • Define impulse and impact noise and differentiate between them.
  • Describe the components of a typical sound level meter in terms of functionality and limitations in relationship to impulse and impact noise.
  • Apply technical specifications necessary for accurate measurement of impulse & impact noise.
CEUs:
1 hour CEU (AAA and ASHA)
No CEUs offered for home study.
 

TopicA Hybrid Approach to Audiometric Technician Training: A Fusion of Traditional and Virtual Learning

About the Webinar: Alternative delivery models for teaching Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) hearing technician certification courses have become a reality.  To date, only a few Course Directors (CDs) have ventured into this uncharted territory.  This presentation offers a suggested roadmap for developing and delivering virtual courses and reviews the benefits and challenges of a hybrid model, including lessons learned.  While of benefit to anyone considering virtual synchronous learning, the intended audience are current CDs of any experience level and those who may be considering becoming a CD.

When: Available on demand for Homestudy

Presenters: 

Kirsten McCall, AuD (BIO)
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Vickie Tuten, AuD (BIO)
Disclosure: No financial or nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Program Level: Introductory

Topics covered:

• Key differences between the traditional face-to-face model and a hybrid virtual and practicum classroom model;

• Platform delivery vehicles used;

• Changes made to training to accommodate the virtual platform;

• Incorporation of recertification students into the virtual training;

• Adaptations made for the practicum portion of the course

• Experiences with this new delivery model, challenges and lessons learned.


Learning Objectives:

  • Contrast the key differences between the traditional face-to-face model and a hybrid virtual and practicum classroom model. 
  • Discuss the challenges in delivering instruction in a hybrid virtual and practicum classroom delivery model. 
  • Identify available resources for both virtual instruction and hands-on practicum.

CEUs:
None for home study

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Topic: Hearing Health Education through STS (Short Training Segments): Microlearning Theory in Hearing Conservation

When: Available on demand for Homestudy

About the Webinar: Learners today expect to get information quickly and in a format that is easy to access, easy to understand, available at a time and place of the learner's choice, and relevant to what the learner needs to know at the moment. This presentation will introduce you to microlearning and how to use it to meet learners' needs and expectations while effectively using it for hearing conservation training in the workplace.

Presenter: John A. Merkley, AuD (bio)

DisclosureNo financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.

Program Level: Introductory

Topics covered:

  • What is microlearning or just-in-time training theory
  • How do you effectively apply microlearning in the workplace
  • How can you enhance your current hearing conservation training program with microlearning 

Learning Objectives:

  • List three best practice tips for microlearning
  • Describe microlearning theory.
  • Identify three topics of required hearing conservation training that can be effective microlearning subjects.
CEUs:
None for home study
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 Topic: Audiology, Hearing Loss Prevention and Music: Treatment Considerations

When: Available on demand for Homestudy

About the Webinar: As musicians are increasingly in search of hearing loss prevention information and strategies, this presentation will provide a brief overview of the recent American Academy of Audiology consensus guidelines on treatment for music-induced hearing disorders.  There will be a focus on earplugs for musicians as well as the safe use of in-ear monitors.

Presenter: Michael Santucci, AuD (BIO)

Disclosure:
There are non-financial conflicts of interest.
Financial disclosures: Ownership Interest in Sensaphonics, Inc.

Program Level: Introductory

Topics Covered:

The presentation will briefly compare and contrast traditional onstage monitors with today’s in-ear-monitoring systems.  The role of the audiologist in selecting the most appropriate passive filter for earplugs and selecting the appropriate in-ear monitor earpiece while guiding the musician to safe use will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this Continuing Education Activity, readers will be able to:

  • Compare and differentiate on-stage in-ear monitoring from traditional floor monitoring
  • Help musicians select an appropriate in-ear monitoring earpiece
  • Help guide patients to the safe use of the in-ear monitoring  

CEUs:
None for home study

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