National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) statistics indicate that a 26‐dB fence of hearing impairment for comparing hearing levels averaged at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz vs 1, 2, and 3 kHz yield essentially equal risk values for noise‐exposed populations at retirement age. On the other hand, Kryter, using a 16‐dB fence for the averaging at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz, found risk values comparable to those found using a 26‐dB fence for the averaging at 1, 2, and 3 kHz. The data “baseline” inequality between the “non‐noise”‐exposed and noise‐exposed populations used by Kryter in the development of his SIR table raises questions as to the compatibility of his different populations. If indicated baseline corrections are used, Kryter'sriskvalues compare favorably with NIOSH data.