NHCA/CAOHC Webinar SeriesThe National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) has coordinated with the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) to host a NHCA/CAOHC webinar series for 2025/2026. 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. Cancellation Policy: Webinar purchases are non-refundable. In the event a virtual webinar session is cancelled or rescheduled, CAOHC/NHCA will refund any fees that were collected directly by the respective organization prior to the date change. 2026 Webinars:Topic: OSHA and the Occupational Noise Standard: Your Questions Answered
No credits of any kind will be offered for viewing this webinar. This webinar will be recorded.
Register Here!When: Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:00pm ET CEUs: None Pricing: Free
About the Webinar: Because OSHA’s noise standards address many of the most noise-hazardous operations in the United States, the agency brings unparalleled insight into high-risk exposures and strategies for effective hearing conservation. In this webinar, our speakers will tackle the key questions below and deliver practical guidance to help you confidently navigate regulatory requirements and strengthen your hearing conservation program. Moderator: John (Andy) Merkley, AuD, CCC-A, CPS/A Dr. John 'Andy' Merkley is an occupational audiologist with over 26 years of experience in both clinical and occupational audiology. He currently works as a contract senior program manager with the Defense Health Agency Hearing Center of Excellence. He holds a Master of Science in Communicative Disorders from Utah State University and a Doctor of Audiology from Central Michigan University. Dr. Merkley is the Director of Education for the National Hearing Conservation Association and is the immediate past Chair of the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) where he represented the Military Audiology Association. He holds the certificate of clinical competence in Audiology (CCC-A), is a certified CAOHC Course Director (CD) and a CAOHC certified Professional Supervisor (CPS/A). PRESENTERS FROM OSHA: Melanie Hayes, DNP, APRN, FNP-CDr. Melanie Hayes is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner working at the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, Office of Occupational Medicine and Nursing (OOMN). With 26 years of experience as a family nurse practitioner, she has dedicated half of her career to the field of occupational medicine and nursing. In 2021, Dr. Hayes was hired in OOMN as a nurse practitioner medical officer where she is recognized as a subject matter expert in occupational noise exposure, hearing loss prevention, and regulatory compliance within the federal policy landscape. Additionally, her work at OSHA addresses various physical and environmental hazards, including heat and cold stress, as well as ergonomic risks in warehousing and meatpacking facilities. Prior to joining OSHA, she managed a U.S. Navy occupational health clinic for nine years, providing care to workers across a wide array of industries, including shipbuilding, aviation, healthcare, first responders, construction, and childcare. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she served as the occupational health program manager, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and advising executive leadership on occupational health issues. She is a published author and frequently presents on occupational health topics including at the American Occupational Health Conference, American Association of Nurse Practitioners annual conferences, and the International Hearing Protector Fit Testing Symposium. Dr. Hayes also serves as adjunct faculty and is on the Executive Council for the National Hearing Conservation Association. She is also a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Fueled by a passion for improving worker health, she actively collaborates with fellow occupational health and safety professionals to drive meaningful advancements in the field.
By the end of this presentation, participants should be able to identify answers to the following questions:1) Please summarize OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level as defined in the Noise Standard, and what are the employer obligations at each threshold? General disclosure: This webinar is not focused on a specific product or service and there will be no or limited information about similar products or services. The subject relates directly to training methods used in hearing conservation programs and does not endorse or recommend specific products. Register Here!Hosted by: ![]() 2025 Webinars:Topic: Auracast 101: The Future of Audio BroadcastingNo credits of any kind will be offered for viewing the recorded version of this webinar.Register Here!When: Oct. 22, 2025 at 2:00pm ET CEUs: 1-hour Continuing Education (AAA and 0.1 ASHA CEU) Pricing:
$38 - CAOHC/NHCA members
$50 - Non-members
About the Webinar: In an increasingly connected world, Bluetooth technology plays a critical role in enhancing communication and accessibility for individuals with hearing loss. This comprehensive online course is designed for hearing care professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of Bluetooth’s evolution and its transformative impact on hearing aids. Participants will explore the history and development of Bluetooth technology, gain insight into the key differences between Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and examine how these protocols are currently used in hearing instruments. The course will culminate with an in-depth look at Auracast™, the next-generation broadcast audio technology poised to revolutionize assistive listening. Attendees will learn how Auracast enables seamless audio sharing in public and private spaces, offering greater inclusion and improved user experiences. By the end of this course, hearing professionals will be equipped with the knowledge to better counsel patients, make informed technology recommendations, and prepare for the integration of Auracast in clinical and real-world environments. Presenter: Brandon Rawlings, AuD Presenter Bio: Dr. Brandon Rawlings has had clinical experience in ENT clinics, private practices, and VA hospitals. Throughout his career he has received multiple awards for his patient care, including being nationally recognized while working at the VA in Temple, Texas. Dr. Rawlings graduated in 2008 from Brigham Young University with his B.S. in Communication Disorders. He then went on to receive his Au.D. from Missouri State in 2012 after completing his externship with a renowned ENT in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Dr. Rawlings is an active member of the American Academy of Audiology as well as the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. He currently resides in Utah. Learning Outcomes: By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to: 1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of Bluetooth Program Level: Introductory Satisfactory completion requirement statement: Requirements to satisfactorily complete this webinar and qualify to obtain CEU credits are as follows: 1) learners must be present during the entire presentation. 2) learners must provide answers to the 6 assessment questions with satisfactory results; questions are based on the Learning Outcomes. 3) learners must provide answers to 3 verification questions and a password that will be provided during the presentation. Disclosures: Brandon Rawlings, Au.D has no relevant financial or nonfinancial information to disclose. General disclosure: This webinar is not focused on a specific product or service and there will be no or limited information about similar products or services. The subject relates directly to training methods used in hearing conservation programs and does not endorse or recommend specific products. CAOHC shares the nominal proceeds of this webinar with NHCA. Cancellation Policy: Webinar purchases are non-refundable. Register Here!Hosted by: ![]() ![]() ![]()
Topic: Tools for Teaching Awareness from the Intersection of Music, Audio and AudiologyNo credits of any kind will be offered for viewing the recorded version of this webinar.Register Here!When: July 9, 2025 at 2:00pm ET Continuing Education: 1-hour Continuing Education (AAA and 0.1 ASHA credits) Pricing:
$38 - CAOHC/NHCA members
$50 - Non-members
About the Webinar: The newly emerging hearing conservation sub-specialty known as “music audiology” addresses the unique needs of musicians and sound engineers as they rely on their highly developed hearing acuity to successfully practice their art/craft. This presentation will introduce attendees to the language, knowledge and mindset of the music and audio industries. By understanding how musicians and audio engineers work with and think about music and sound, hearing science professionals can develop a new set of “tools” for teaching hearing awareness to their patients and clients. Learning Objectives By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to: 1. Discuss sound and hearing in the language used by practitioners in audio and music. Satisfactory completion requirement statement: Requirements to satisfactorily complete this webinar and qualify to obtain continuing education credits are as follows: 1) learners must be present during the entire presentation. 2) Learners must provide answers to the 6 assessment questions provided with satisfactory results. 3) To qualify for AAA credits, Learners must provide answers to 3 verification questions and a password that will be provided during the presentation. Program Level: Introductory Presenters: Benjamin Kanters (Benjamin Kanters, BS/MM, has no relevant financial or nonfinancial information to disclose.) Presenter Bio: Benj Kanters (BS/MM Northwestern University) is associate professor emeritus of audio, Columbia College Chicago, where he was on the faculty from 1993 to 2022. Prior to Columbia, Benj spent twenty years in the Chicago music scene. He was partner and sound engineer at the concert-club Amazingrace, and later partner and chief managing engineer of Studiomedia Recording in Evanston. In 2007, he founded HearTomorrow and The Hearing Conservation Workshop, teaching his unique flavor of hearing awareness and conservation to students and professionals in audio, music and the hearing sciences. He has presented over 100 workshops in the US, Mexico and Europe and in recognition of his work received the NIOSH Safe in Sound award in 2014. General disclosure: This webinar is not focused on a specific product or service and there will be no or limited information about similar products or services. The subject relates directly to training methods used in hearing conservation programs and does not endorse or recommend specific products. Cancellation Policy: Webinar purchases are non-refundable. Register Here!Hosted by:
Topic: Auditory Fitness for DutyNo CEU credits of any kind will be offered for viewing the recorded version of this webinar.Register Here!When: May 21, 2025 at 2:00pm ET CEUs: 1-hour CEU (AAA and 0.1 ASHA CEU) Pricing:
$38 - CAOHC/NHCA members
$50 - Non-members
About the Webinar: Three researchers will review strategies that have been used to assess hearing fitness for duty in occupational and military populations. Presenters will discuss job task analysis as it relates to communication and auditory signals, test development and the concept of functional hearing assessment and how that may differ from tests typically used in hearing conservation programs. Learning Objectives 1. Describe what constitutes a hearing-critical task. Program Level: Intermediate Satisfactory completion requirement statement: Requirements to satisfactorily complete this webinar and qualify to obtain CEU credits are as follows: 1) learners must be present during the entire presentation. 2) Learners must provide answers to the 5 assessment questions provided with satisfactory results. 3) To qualify for AAA CEUs, Learners must provide the password that will be provided during the presentation. Presenters: Douglas Brungart, Ph.D., Odile Clavier, Ph.D., Christian Giguère, Ph.D. Douglas Brungart, Ph.D. Odile Clavier, Ph.D. Christian Giguère, Ph.D. General disclosure: This webinar is not focused on a specific product or service and there will be no or limited information about similar products or services. The subject relates directly to training methods used in hearing conservation programs and does not endorse or recommend specific products. Cancellation Policy: Webinar purchases are non-refundable. Register Here!Hosted by: ![]() ![]() ![]() Topic: Silent Solutions: Effective Strategies for Noise AbatementNo CEU credits of any kind will be offered for viewing the recorded version of this webinar.Register Here!When: March 12, 2025 at 2:00pm ET CEUs: 1-hour CEU (AAA and 0.1 ASHA CEU) Pricing:
$38 - CAOHC/NHCA members
$50 - Non-members
About the Webinar: In this webinar, two board certified noise control engineers will discuss effective strategies for evaluating noise sources and reducing noise in the workplace through effective engineering controls. Presenters will discuss:
Moderator: LTC (Ret) J. Andrew Merkley, AuD CCC-A CPS/A Presenters: Terry Tyson, P.E., INCE Bd. Cert. and David M. Jones, P.E., INCE Bd. Cert.
Learning Objectives:
Cancellation Policy: Webinar purchases are non-refundable. Register Here!Hosted by: ![]() ![]() ![]() Additional Past Webinars |