Employees Health provides onsite audiometric testing for Australian workplaces where workers may be exposed to hazardous occupational noise.
Workplace hearing assessments can assist employers in monitoring hearing health, identifying potential changes over time and supporting workplace health surveillance programs where required.
Onsite testing helps minimise operational disruption by allowing employees to complete assessments at their workplace rather than travelling to external clinics.
Audiometric testing may be relevant for industries such as construction, manufacturing, mining, transport, infrastructure, utilities, aviation, warehousing and other environments where workers are regularly exposed to elevated noise levels.
Employers may need to arrange audiometric testing for workers who are frequently required to use hearing protection due to workplace noise exposure.
Testing frequency depends on applicable WHS requirements, workplace noise exposure levels, risk controls and organisational health surveillance programs. Employers should consider relevant legislation, exposure risks and professional advice when determining testing requirements.
Employees Health Audiometric program includes baseline and periodic audiometry testing to ensure your organisation is meeting legislative requirements. Our audiologist will identify employees who may have occupational noise-induced hearing loss to ensure early intervention.
Not sure whether you need to assess your employees for potential occupational noise induced hearing loss?
Individual medical information remains confidential and is not disclosed without employee consent.
The frequency of workplace audiometric testing depends on workplace noise exposure, risk assessments, applicable legislation and organisational health surveillance requirements. Some workers may require baseline testing followed by periodic monitoring, while requirements may differ between industries and jurisdictions.
An audiometric test measures the quietest sounds a person can hear in each ear across a range of frequencies, using pure tone air conduction testing. In the workplace, results are compared over time to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss.
Under the model WHS Regulations, an employer must provide audiometric testing for workers who must use hearing protection to protect them from noise above the exposure standard. The exposure standard is an average of 85 dB(A) over 8 hours or a peak of 140 dB(C).
Testing must be provided within 3 months of the worker starting the work and then at least every 2 years. Some employers test more often where noise levels are very high or earlier results show changes.
The worker completes a brief hearing history, then wears headphones in a quiet setting and responds to tones at different pitches and volumes. Results are recorded and compared with earlier tests. Employees Health brings calibrated equipment onsite so workers can be tested without leaving the workplace.
The worker is given their results and may be referred for further assessment. The employer can use the findings to review noise controls and hearing protection. Individual results remain confidential and are not shared without the worker’s consent.
