Quality Standards for Hearing Loss Testing Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
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The proposal explores whether hearing loss testing standards for longshore and harbor worker compensation claims should be updated to reflect modern medical practice. The Labor Department is asking for input on whether traditional audiograms remain the right primary method, or whether objective tests such as ABR, ASSR, and OAE should play a larger role. The request matters for maritime employers, insurers, claims administrators, doctors, and workers filing hearing loss claims. No rule change has been made yet, but affected parties may want to comment by October 22, 2026, especially if they rely on current testing methods or have views on accuracy, reliability, cost, and claim evaluation.
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Key Changes
- Seeks public input on updating hearing loss testing standards for LHWCA compensation claims
- Asks whether objective tests such as ABR, ASSR, and OAE should supplement or replace reliance on audiograms
- Invites comments on test reliability, validity, administration standards, and criteria for measuring hearing impairment