Audiometry

An estimated 1.1 million workers in Australia are potentially exposed to hazardous levels of noise at work. The exposure varies by trade with the most exposed occupations being machine operators, automotive workers, construction workers and farmers. Common sources of hazardous noise include loud machinery, industrial environments, concerts, and personal listening devices.

 

NIHL represents a significant economic burden at a societal level. The national cost burden of hearing loss in 2017 was estimated to be $33.3 billion. Approximately 48% was due to financial costs including health care and lost work productivity while 52% was due to loss of general well-being.

 

Impacts include:

• impaired communication
• reduced quality of life
• psychological impacts (loneliness)
• increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia
• economic loss for individuals
• health care costs
• workplace costs.

 

Workplace audiometry testing (health monitoring for the hazard of noise) entails a comprehensive auditory evaluation that screens employees’ hearing and provides education to workers on noise induced hearing loss. This testing process measures an individual’s hearing threshold, aiding in the detection of early potential hearing loss and checking that risk mitigation measures are effective.

 

State Health and Safety regulations require hearing testing where a worker who is required by the person conducting the business of undertaking to use personal protective equipment to protect the worker from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard1 for noise.

 

We offer both onsite (bulk) and in clinic hearing testing.

 

Additionally, we will:

• review of hearing test results against historic tests to monitoring for subtle changes in hearing
• provide a report to the employer
• provide a report to the employee showing historic results reinforcing the need for compliance to risk control measures.

Audiometry (hearing) testing can be conducted onsite or at Resile clinics.

 

If onsite a small clean room is required with a power source, a desk and two chairs. Resile can provide an online booking system or a booking spreadsheet.

 

Audiometry usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. The worker will have earmuffs fitted which transmits sound to the worker from the audiometry machine, the worker will be asked to respond usually pressing a buzzer when they can hear the tone. The audiometry will test a range of frequencies (or pitches).

 

A report with a graph indicating the quietest that can be heard for each frequency for the individual. Education is on effective hearing protection will be given at the time of the test.

 

Tests are generally reviewed under the supervision of our Occupational and Environmental Physician Team and specific recommendation for managing noise induced hearing loss for the individual worker will be provided.

 

If you want to discuss this further or to arrange testing, email siteservices@resile.com.au.