Iowa Code 85B.9A – Apportionment of occupational hearing loss
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Terms Used In Iowa Code 85B.9A
- Hearing level: means the measured threshold of hearing sensitivity using audiometric instruments properly calibrated to the American national standards institute audiometric zero reference level. See Iowa Code 85B.4
- Occupational hearing loss: means that portion of a permanent sensorineural loss of hearing in one or both ears that exceeds an average hearing level of twenty-five decibels for the frequencies five hundred, one thousand, two thousand, and three thousand Hertz, arising out of and in the course of employment caused by excessive noise exposure. See Iowa Code 85B.4
Apportionment of the total hearing loss between occupational and nonoccupational loss, for purposes of determining occupational hearing loss, may be made by an audiologist or physician with qualifications set forth in section 85B.9. In determining occupational hearing loss, consideration shall be given to all probable employment and nonemployment sources of loss. The apportionment of age-related loss shall be made by reducing the total binaural percentage hearing loss as calculated pursuant to section 85B.9, subsection 3, by the same percentage as the decibels of age-related loss occurring during the period of employment bears to the total decibel hearing level in each ear. The decibels of age-related loss shall be calculated according to tables adopted by the workers’ compensation commissioner consistent with tables of the national institute for occupational safety and health existing on July 1, 1998, and consistent with section 85B.9, subsection 3.