As an employer, ensuring the health and safety of your people is a top priority, and that includes their hearing health—especially in noisy environments.
Workplace audiometric testing is essential for safeguarding hearing health. But how much do you really know about it?
From the benefits for both your employees and your business to the testing process and how to handle the results, we’ve answered all your questions to help you stay informed and enable you to educate your workers.
What is workplace audiometric testing?
Workplace audiometric testing is a simple hearing check-up designed to monitor employees’ hearing health. It’s quick and painless and helps catch early signs of hearing loss, making it easier to prevent long-term damage.
Pre-employment (baseline) hearing testing
Done during the recruiting process, pre-employment audiometric testing helps to establish if any pre-existing hearing loss exists before a worker is hired and if this may impact their ability to do the job.
It also documents a baseline hearing level that can act as a benchmark to identify if the role is contributing to hearing loss over time.
Employees should avoid high-level noise for at least 16 hours before this test to ensure their ears aren’t fatigued.
Regular audiometric monitoring testing
Regular audiometric monitoring testing is carried out throughout the worker lifecycle. It helps ensure your employees maintain healthy hearing.
The test uncovers significant changes in hearing that indicate undue deterioration from overexposure to high-level noise, otherwise known as noise-induced hearing loss. It highlights any issues with the use of hearing protection.
The test should take place during or at the end of an employee’s shift.
What are the benefits of audiometric testing?
Audiometric testing is beneficial to both you and your employees:
Benefits for employees
- Early detection of hearing loss – It allows employees to find out if they have any hearing issues and deal with them before they get worse.
- Feeling of care – Having their hearing health monitored makes employees feel valued and cared for, boosting morale and overall wellbeing.
Benefits for business
- Reduce workplace injuries and illness – Audiometric testing is a proactive approach that helps catch hearing issues early, enabling them to be addressed before they get worse. It can also prevent workplace accidents caused by poor hearing.
- Lower workers’ compensation premiums – When you actively monitor hearing health, you reduce the chances of claims related to hearing loss. Many insurers reward proactive businesses with lower premiums!
- Meet certain legislative requirements –As an employer there are certain hearing conservation regulations you need to follow (see below). Testing ensures you avoid fines and shows people you’re a responsible employer.
- Improve employee retention, engagement and overall productivity –Audiometric testing shows employees that their health matters, boosting job satisfaction and talent retention. Healthy hearing enhances communication and collaboration, driving overall productivity.
Since 2015, Australian workers have lodged close to 30,000 workers’ compensation claims for hearing loss (SafeWork Australia/Hearing Australia, 2023)
Does your workplace need to do audiometric testing?
Workplace audiometric testing is a requirement for anyone conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) whose workers must frequently wear the control measure of personal hearing protection (The Work Health and Safety Regulations (2021, Chapter 4, Part 1, Section 58).
However, all industries can benefit from using hearing tests as part of their pre-employment process and ongoing health maintenance testing.
Workers are at risk of hearing loss when they’re exposed to hazardous noise that exceeds the national exposure standard, which is:
- An average of 85 decibels over 8 hours
(e.g., repetitive noise from equipment and machinery) - A peak of 140 decibels
(e.g., a one-off impact noise such as a sledgehammer blow)
How often does an employee need audiometric testing?
According to SafeWork Australia’s Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work (2020), you must provide audiometric testing:
- Within 3 months of the employee starting work
- At least every two years
Who performs an audiometric test?
Audiometric tests should be performed by a qualified individual with the proper training and certification to conduct hearing assessments. This is guided by the AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 Occupational Noise Management – Auditory Assessment standard.
Typically, these tests are carried out by audiometrists, audiologists or occupational health professionals with specific expertise in hearing conservation.
Where does audiometric testing take place?
Workplace audiometric testing generally takes place either:
- On-site – Mobile audiometric testing units, like our Happy Health vans, can come directly to your workplace, making it convenient for employees and minimising downtime.
- In a clinic – You can also choose to send your employers to a clinic (we have them in NSW and SA) or audiology centre for testing.
What happens during an audiometric test?
While different providers may carry out audiometric testing differently, the core elements are usually the same. Here’s our process:
Step 1
The test begins with a questionnaire and discussion about the employees’ history. This is followed by a quick ear check before the audiometric testing begins.
Step 2
Wearing headphones, the employee is asked to respond to sounds of different frequencies and decibels. The results are then discussed, and a report is provided.
What happens if hearing loss is detected?
If the test results indicate any hearing issues or loss, the employee may be recommended to repeat the test in three months and/or given a referral to a medical practitioner or audiologist.
How long does audiometric testing take?
Testing usually takes up to 20 minutes per employee, depending on the complexity of the hearing test.
What should you do once you get the results?
After obtaining the test results, you should:
- Give each employee a copy of their results, along with any necessary follow-up steps if hearing loss is identified—such as a repeat test in 3 months and/or a referral to a medical practitioner or audiologist.
- Store the test results securely to ensure employee confidentiality is protected.
How can you support workers with hearing loss?
Employees experiencing hearing loss might need some extra support at work.
A great way to help is by chatting with them about their communication needs.
You could also consider making some changes in the workplace, like adding visual warning signs. Additionally, support them in using assistive technology, such as hearing aids or alerting devices.
When thinking about reasonable adjustments for any workers with hearing loss, make sure you’re aware of your obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Say ‘yes’ to audiometric tests!
Workplace audiometric testing isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s a vital step in safeguarding your employees’ health and wellbeing, which leads to business benefits. By proactively monitoring hearing health, you’re also showing your commitment to creating a safe and supportive work environment.
Get in touch with our friendly team here at Happy Health today to discuss your audiometric testing requirements and to schedule appointments for your workers.
