[Evaluation of and trends in hearing surveillance programs in industry]

The European Directive 86/188 gives, from 1990, to the workers the right to audiometric surveillance as soon as their personal daily exposure level reaches 85 dB(A). This requirement might lead to a significant increase in the number of audiometric examinations performed in industry. In this prospect, the objective of the present study is to define the criteria for "hearing conservation programs", as opposed to "deafness screening programs". The present situation is then compared to this model in order to determine the actions that have to be taken in preparation for 1990.