Governor Signs Hearing Loss Rating Bills

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed bills revising the criteria for measuring work-related hearing loss. The governor on Thursday signed HB 669/SB 843, which increase the number of frequencies that must be included in hearing tests and alter how age is factored into the calculation. Current law tests hearing loss across four frequency bands ranging from 500 hertz to 3,000 hertz. The process also includes an offset that accounts for nonindustrial hearing loss that generally occurs with age. The bills Moore signed require testing up to 4,000 hertz. They also require the nonoccupatio...