The Process of Workplace Audiometric Testing

audiometric testing

Workplace audiometric testing is an essential component of hiring and workforce safety standards in many different companies and industries. Whether you are searching for information on this critical component of your operations or you are looking to partner with a new provider to advance your safety standards, understanding the importance of workplace hearing tests is key. Below, discover the core components of these tests, learn how you can protect your workplace from hearing loss and explore the benefits of workplace audiometric testing.

What is Workplace Hearing Loss?

Workplace hearing loss is a major issue that occurs due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds, noise or particular chemicals. Long-term noise exposure has been a significant contributor to workplace compensation claims concerning deafness over the past few years, with financial costs skyrocketing. Many industries are impacted by this, including mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. These sectors are particularly vulnerable to a hearing-impacted workforce due to naturally high levels of noise during operational processes.

To achieve a safer, healthier workplace with a productive team, the prevention of hearing loss and therefore the introduction of an audiometric test is essential. It provides invaluable protection to employees’ hearing and assists in the reduction of compensation claims whilst boosting levels of productivity.

Noise in the workplace and the long-term impacts are highly treatable. With the right testing process and the right occupational healthcare partner, your business can easily and quickly solve this hazard.

The Audiometric Testing Process

Audiometric testing is a type of hearing assessment that measures an employee’s ability to detect quiet sounds with their hearing. When done regularly, this test can detect ongoing changes in an individual’s hearing over time.

The audiometric test must be organised by an employer on behalf of the workers. The test itself is quick, efficient and simple, typically taking about 20 minutes for a person to complete. This type of hearing test can be performed in-house, as long as there is a quiet and noise-protected location that is appropriate for the conditions needed to gather an accurate result. It can also take place at a local occupational health clinic, medical centre or hearing centre. An audiometric test must be performed by a trained healthcare professional and take place in a quiet room away from environmental noises. The base level of testing is Pure Tone Audiometry.

The testing process asks participants to wear a pair of headphones, and a series of sounds of different volumes and pitches are played. The individual being tested signals when they can hear a sound, which is a simple means of deciphering whether any hearing loss has occurred. Tests are quick and effortless and use advanced equipment for highly accurate results. Results and data are released to the business in question, allowing the employer to take any needed precautions or make adjustments to become or remain compliant with regulatory noise standards. These changes may also increase the standards of health and safety within a workplace environment.

Testing Protocol

Audiometric testing in the workplace must be performed by a certified professional. The equipment used must be of medical grade, and compliant with relevant health and safety standards, which will vary from state to state. Initial tests should be performed within the first three months of a new employee’s time at the company, the data gathered will be used as the baseline upon which to measure future results. Follow-up testing should be considered after a year to two years (as a maximum) to monitor for potential hearing loss. After this, follow-ups can be twice a year or more frequently, as decided by the employer.

Threshold Shifts

If hearing is exposed to sounds that stretch above 75 dB, ear sensitivity will likely decrease. This desensitising is called a threshold shift. It can happen temporarily and gradually recovers after exposure to the noise finishes, or it can be permanent and will not recover after the noise passes.

How to Avoid Risk

There are actions that you can take to mitigate the risk of hearing loss in the workplace. If a threshold shift occurs, you can:

  • Re-assess the employee’s noise exposure
  • Take remedial action to reduce noise exposure and duration
  • Ensure hearing protection is being used and is appropriate for the level of noise exposure experienced by the worker 
  • Assess the fit of the hearing protection used
  • Review the requirements of the job and assess them against the fitness of the individual in question

In Conclusion

Audiometric testing is essential to ensuring that your workplace is safe, compliant and productive. In standardised environments, it is not an option. If you are in a Blue Collar trade, and you are searching for a comprehensive solution to your health and wellness needs, look no further than the occupational health service profile at Logic Health. Our dedicated network of clinics will assist you with advanced audiometric testing and healthcare services in your area for a specialist-led solution to your occupational wellness needs.

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