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Dr Anne Greville National Audiology Advisor, ACC, Auckland, NZ |
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Anne Greville worked as an audiologist at the National Audiology Centre in Auckland for many years, ultimately becoming the centre’s manager. The National Audiology Centre was a Head Office unit of the Department of Health, and later became part of the Auckland District Health Board. The centre’s focus was on public health, including prevention of occupational hearing loss. In addition, specialist services such as the national cochlear implant programme were established at the centre. Dr Greville later worked as a consultant in Australia and New Zealand, working for both public and private sector clients. She has advised ACC on hearing matters since 2004. ACC’s methods of managing hearing loss claims have changed considerably over this period. Dr Greville was involved in developing guidelines for occupational hearing loss, and continues to have an interest in best practice for assessment of occupational hearing loss. The ACC National Assessment Audit, New Developments, and Process Issues An audit of 220 assessment reports on occupational noise-induced hearing loss was carried out in November 2017. The clinical audit tool was developed based on ACC’s experience in other claim areas, together with input from the four otologists involved in the project. The main clinical areas were evaluated by the otologists, and some ratings were carried out by ACC team leaders, and the Audiology Adviser. The results presented here have been provided to the assessors, together with their individual results. Details of the process and results will be provided, and opportunity given for discussion. New materials have been developed in conjunction with representatives of NZSOHNS. Updated literature reviews have been commissioned on chemicals in the workplace and their effect on hearing loss, and impact/impulse noise. The Assessment guide which was developed in 2010 has been updated. A document summarizing noise levels has also been produced to assist clinicians. Changes to ACC’s processes and associated issues will be addressed.
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