A hearing conservation program is essential for many industries and workplaces where loud noises can impair or damage the hearing of employees. To protect their health and well-being, employers must provide them with hearing protection, either in the form of earmuffs, earplugs or custom-molded earplugs. However, there are a few things an employer must know when it comes to selecting hearing protection for their employees. 


1. It Must Follow CSA Standards 

The Canadian Standard Association (CSA) refers to Standard Z94.2-14 “Hearing Protection Devices – Performance, Selection, Care and Use” for all hearing protection when applied to a hearing conservation program. These standards breakdown the essential components of obtaining earplugs for employees, including the performance and testing requirements for the devices, the care, and the quality of the hearing protection. You cannot get earplugs for your employees if they do not follow the CSA Standards. 


2. The Quality of Product

There is a range of different custom earplugs available in the market. Unfortunately, that means there is a lot of diversity in quality. For the health and well-being of your employees, you always have to research the quality of the earplugs. Consider what they are made of, how the company makes it, and how customized they are. You have to get earplugs that will guarantee employees protection and remain effective while working. Quality is pivotal for your employees. 


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3. Comfortability & Fit 

Being comfortable at work is an essential factor for employees, especially in heavy-duty and loud work environments. It is, therefore, imperative that you provide your employees with custom hearing protection that fit correctly (reducing any potential slip-offs) and are comfortable (so they can work in peace). Custom earplugs are the ideal solution as they provide employees with an earplug that is specifically designed for their ears. 


4. Warranty & Product Guarantee

Guarantees and warranties are pivotal for any workplace hearing protection. Make sure as an employer, consider how many years the product can last, the length of the warranty, what coverage you get if you need repairs, and how to claim a warranty. This way, you can ensure that your money is used wisely and your employees get the best protection possible. 


By considering these four aspects when choosing earplugs, you will be making your life easier, as well as ensuring that you remove any concerns when it comes to protecting your employees’ hearing.


Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing is your locally owned and operated Calgary business. We are committed to providing mobile hearing testing services and other safety tests, to numerous industries and companies in Western Canada. Our services are part of the WorkSafeBC Provider Network, while our sound booths are approved by the CSA. We offer audiometry testing, mask fit testing, custom earplugs, noise measurements, help with implementing a hearing conservation program, and spirometry testing. If you want to improve your workplace, leave it in the hands of our team. Contact us today on (403) 399-4775.    

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As an employer, it is expected that you have a hearing conservation program in place to protect your employees and remain compliant with Worksafe standards. As part of your program, your workers should undergo an audiometric test, which determines their hearing levels. 


But what should your employees expect when it comes to undertaking this test? Get your workers to read this, so they know what the test involves.


What Your Employees Should Expect From An Audiometric Test 


A Discussion About Your Medical & Hearing History

Whenever you meet a new medical professional, you’ll have to discuss your medical history. The same happens when you meet your qualified audiometric technician; they’ve going to have to know everything about your medical history. You’ll be given a questionnaire where you’ll have to provide information that includes injuries (such as to your head or neck), any current medication, and most significantly if you had or have any current hearing issues.


The Audiometric Test 

The audiometric test is more simple than most employees expect. You won’t experience a long-overdue exam as the whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. Here is what you can expect from the test:


  • You will wear a pair of earphones for the duration of the test and will be seated in a CSA approved sound booth 
  • The technician will then intermittently play a series of beeps and audible tones at different volumes and frequencies
  • If you hear a tone, you will click a responder button. If you don’t hear anything, you don’t press anything
  • The tones and beeps will either get louder or quieter depending on the severity of your responses

The efficiency of the testing process means employees will be examined quickly, so there will be no delays in operations. The reports from the test will be kept for record-keeping. 


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Expect Follow-Up Guidance (For Both Employees & Employers) 

For employees, as this test is a screening tool, you will not be diagnosed if you have any conditions. If there are concerns about your hearing, you will be referred to a professional who will conduct further tests if necessary. The audiometric technicians will be more than happy to explain the importance of hearing protection (such as getting custom earplugs) and the effects of hearing loss from noise, but they cannot diagnose you medically.

For employers, the results from the audiometric test, and other sound assessments, will quantify the effectiveness of the hearing conservation program that is currently in place. Changes might, or might not, be implemented for the program to ensure that it complies with Worksafe standards and to prevent employees suffering from noise-induced hearing loss.

Schedule An Appointment With Mobile Hearing Testing

As an employer, you must take action and protect the health and hearing of your employees. With mobile hearing testing available, book an appointment time that suits you. Your operations won’t stop due to the testing, and you will guarantee that the future health and safety of your employees are secure. 


Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing is your locally owned and operated Calgary business. We are committed to providing mobile hearing testing services and other safety tests, to numerous industries and companies in Western Canada. Our services are part of the WorkSafeBC Provider Network, while our sound booths are approved by the CSA. We offer audiometry testing, mask fit testing, custom earplugs, noise measurements, help with implementing a hearing conservation program, and spirometry testing. If you want to improve your workplace, leave it in the hands of our team. Contact us today on (403) 399-4775.