What is a baseline audiogram?

A baseline audiogram serves a crucial role in occupational hearing conservation programs. It is the initial audiometric test that is conducted when an employee begins working in an environment where there is exposure to noise. This initial measurement establishes an individual's hearing threshold levels and serves as a reference point for future audiograms. By comparing subsequent audiometric tests to this baseline, healthcare professionals can determine if there has been any significant change or deterioration in the individual's hearing over time, which may indicate potential hearing loss as a result of occupational noise exposure. Such monitoring is essential to ensure timely intervention and to protect the auditory health of workers.