Our Services

Audiometric Testing

Measuring audiometric thresholds at 500 Hz through 8000 Hz

Includes hearing testing and consultation with each employee regarding hearing results and change in hearing when compared to baseline audiograms. Testing is conducted in a sound attenuated booth and booth sound levels with an Oscar 7 Electro-Acoustic Ear & Octave Monitor. Included are test reports with Individual Audiometric Reports, an Inactive report, Statistical Summary reports, Medical Referrals lists & letters, STS & OSHA Recordables lists & letters. A group of eight employees are tested at the same time every 20 minutes or every 30 minutes with in-trailer training below.

Hearing Conservation Training Program

In compliance with (WAC 296-817-40015)

This training is done in the mobile unit in addition to the hearing testing. Each testing group views a training video pertinent to hearing conservation prior to taking the hearing test. The technician then reviews additional topics in hearing conservation and answers any questions employees may have. Full documentation of hearing conservation training and a written description of the training program are also provided. Training is also documented on each employee's Individual Report for your records.

Hearing Protector Fitting

In compliance with (WAC 296-817-20020)

Phicore assists employers by ensuring the proper initial fit of employee's hearing protection. Each employee is assessed and fit with hearing protection appropriate for their noise exposure based on their hearing ability, hygiene concerns, and proper use of the hearing protector.

Documentation is provided regarding the specific type of protector recommended and the employee's proficiency in its use. The responsibility of the employer is reduced to the fitting of new hires and supervision of the correct use of hearing protectors throughout the year.

Employee fitting only needs to be done once per employee. After initial onset of the Hearing Conservation Program, fitting would only need to be done on new baseline employees.

Noise Level Survey (NLS)

In compliance with (WAC 296-817-20015)

Phicore conducts a NLS using a Quest 1700 Type I SLM with Octave Band Filter (meets ANSI S1.4 type 1 standards) and is exhaustively calibrated annually. The information collected would be used to help identify all employees required to be included in the hearing conservation program. The NLS will also identify the areas and equipment that exceed 85 decibels so as to identify hazardous noise areas where it might be mandatory to wear hearing protection. These areas and equipment must be signed showing hearing protection required. Full documentation and a report are provided.

Dosimetry Study

In compliance with (WAC 296-817-20005)

In this method, an employee wears a device that measures the sound exposure over their work shift. The microphone is placed on the shoulder where the greatest amount of noise exposure is expected. At the end of the measurement period, information that has been logged is converted to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA). With this method you gain information most representational of an employee's daily noise exposure. By converting to a TWA, exposure time can be compared to the OSHA/MSHA/WISHA standard of 85 dBA to determine whether an employee should participate in a hearing conservation program. Full documentation and a report are provided.

Reporting

In compliance with (WAC 296-817-20005)

Upon completion of testing, an audiologist reviews the test results and a comprehensive report is generated. This report consists of all employee hearing thresholds, S.T.S. notification letters, medical referral letters, hearing conservation training records, statistical summary of data and calibration certificates. This electronic file in Adobe .pdf format shall be kept by the employer for compliance with OSHA/MSHA/WISHA guidelines. As an added benefit, Phicore can provide a copy of the report if a company loses their report for any reason. Phicore retains and stores all records indefinitely on a NAS Mirrored 4 hard drive server as well as a secured cloud server.