At what maximum decibel level should personnel be entered into a hearing testing program?

Personnel should be entered into a hearing testing program at a maximum decibel level of 84 dB due to the established guidelines regarding hearing conservation in environments with noise exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory bodies recognize that sustained exposure to noise levels at or above 85 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss. Therefore, to proactively manage the risk of hearing damage, individuals who will be exposed to noise levels at or above this threshold must be enrolled in a hearing conservation program. This ensures they receive regular monitoring and necessary measures, such as hearing tests and protective equipment, to safeguard their hearing health over time.

The other options reflect levels of noise exposure that are considered to be below the threshold for heightened concern for hearing loss, and therefore, do not necessitate entry into a specialized hearing testing program.