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Hearing Conservation

The basic objective of this course is to provide training which results in competence as an Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC). The OHC develops skills in various required elements of a hearing conservation program so that they can function successfully as a member of a hearing conservation team.

This course provides practical knowledge and actual use of modern equipment for Management, Safety Directors and Medical Personnel. Manual and microprocessor audiometers will be provided for participants use during the course practicum. Written and practicum examinations are incurred. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a "certificate of completion". This certification is valid for 5 years.

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CAOHC Changes the Hearing Conservation Course Examination Requirements

The Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) has recently made significant changes to its certification and recertification examination procedures. These changes apparently reflect an overall effort by certification/credentialing organizations to improve standardization across courses.

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In the past, course providers had primary control over examination procedures. The course director and other instructors knew the questions on the test and could emphasize certain subjects to help students prepare. They could also clarify questions during the test and students could take as much time as they needed to finish. The exams were graded at the course, and students knew their status upon leaving. CAOHC has now taken over control of the examination process, thus largely restricting the course director's participation.

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Under the new exam process, CAOHC develops all of the test questions, which are unknown to the ProTek Instruments staff. The test booklets are sealed prior to being sent to the course, and only the students are allowed to break the seal. The test is timed, and no questions are permitted while taking it. Students reseal the booklets and answer sheet before handing them in, and the completed exams are then sent back to CAOHC for grading. CAOHC will notify students of their status within 5-7 business days (if payment has been received). CAOHC does not reveal the results of the tests to ProTek Instruments or the course director. After the course, you must speak with CAOHC directly in order to check the status of your test results.

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Students who fail the exam may take a computer-based version twice more at an independent testing station. The cost of the first retest is waived, but the student pays a fee of $75.00 for the second retest. Any student who does not pass the second retest must take the full course again.

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The new exam is constructed to follow certain subject areas, called "domains." These domains are available for review at www.caohc.org. ProTek Instruments recommends reading these domains in advance as a way to prepare for the exam.

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Meanwhile, know that the course director and the entire staff of ProTek Instruments will do whatever they can to give students the knowledge they need to not only meet their professional goals, but also to pass the test!

If you have any questions or concerns about this new testing procedure, please call ProTek Instruments at 503-859-3401.  You can also find more information on CAOHC’s website (www.caohc.org).

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