There’s a subtle difference between a few types of hearing testing that you might be looking for. It’s hard to know which is the right one if you haven’t looked into it yet. But one certainly sounds more in-depth than the other, doesn’t it? Let’s explore the finer distinctions between audiometric screening tests and more thorough hearing testing as with audiological assessments.

 

Do Employers Require Hearing Tests or Screenings?

 

For employers, there’s a legal requirement in provincial occupational health and safety standards concerning audiometric testing. OH&S Code part 16 requires employers to provide standardized hearing tests to workers in environments with operational noise exceeding 85 decibels. However, the key to this requirement is in monitoring over time.

 

A standardized screening test produces an audiogram, which can be kept as hearing conservation records – providing a warning that an employee might be losing their hearing and allowing for redoubled hearing conservation efforts. 3 screening tests over time are much more effective for hearing conservation than 1 full audiological health assessment. That’s where we come in and help employers with up-to-code and easy-to-book mobile audiometry screenings.

Do I Need an Audiometric Screening for OH&S in Industrial Settings?

Ear Testing

Basically put, anything more than screening is overkill for meeting your legal requirements to monitor employees’ hearing in noisy occupational settings. Screenings usually just involve checking for the presence of sound by asking the person to respond when they hear a sound, as with the pure tone test. These types of screenings can be important in identifying whether someone has a hearing loss, but they don’t give any information about the severity, or health implications. They just measure your hearing ability at various sonic frequencies.

 

So, if someone does have a hearing loss on a screening test, they’ll need to have a more comprehensive evaluation to determine the damage to the ear and what health issues arose afterwards if any. That’s where in-depth audiometric testing and audiological health evaluations might be warranted. Still, it saves time to put everyone through screenings while only following up on comprehensive diagnostic tests (also known as audiological assessments) in cases where a worker’s hearing has changed.

Ultimately, your company just needs to meet the OH&S standard. There’s no need to keep an ear doctor on-site to check each employee’s ear health and hearing ability daily. It would be far more effective to follow the basic requirements of the health code, meaning on-site, mobile audiometry screenings every 6 months would work for you, your employees, and OH&S officials. Call audiometric technicians like us if you need help with screenings, hearing conservation programs, noise measurement, and more.

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 at (403) 399-4775.

Hearing is an integral part of health. It plays a significant role in the five senses and can help direct individuals’ thoughts, elucidate their ideas, and improve productivity at home and at work. It’s also very central to someone’s enjoyment of life. While a person’s work is essential to making a living, that work can’t directly interfere with someone’s health, which is why occupational health and safety have been written into law.

A common issue is hearing loss that develops over time, potentially disabling someone’s career by affecting not only their work performance but also their very health and enjoyment of life. There are many causes of hearing loss (most commonly, age, but also reactions to medication and infection). Undoubtedly, it’s important for employers to facilitate audiometric screenings for employees – to help determine whether the loss of such a vital part of a person’s health was preventable and whether it occurred directly as a result of noise-induced by job site activities.

Noise Is an Occupational Hazard

 

Hearing loss is often caused by imperceptible shifts in hearing as a result of sustained noise above healthy levels. The fact is, it’s not easy for a worker to know when damage has occurred since your hearing can be elastic, and sustained, excessive noise can permanently curtail your hearing’s elasticity.

As a result, there needs to be a way for a company to determine who is at risk for hearing loss and what their level of risk is to avoid unintentionally damaging their health. At this point, the best course of action, and one required by Alberta OH&S, includes regular audiograms at the workplace to prevent any adverse outcomes from occurring. Fortunately for employees and employers alike, hearing loss from occupational noise forms distinctive patterns on audiograms.

Further Hearing Problems Can Result from Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing aid device on laptop, work in office for deaf people

Moreover, occupational hearing loss can lead to unintended consequences. Sometimes there’s more than noise damage to the inner ear, which is why it’s important to catch it early and prevent further damage. Damage to the ear can lead to more problems, paving the way for a variety of ear illnesses that include tinnitus and vertigo.

 

More advanced hearing loss can become more pronounced in people exposed to occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Severe cases can require proactive management by an ear doctor every three years or so or every six months during infection. In addition, hearing aids may be recommended by an audiologist based on the individual’s lowered hearing ability.

It’s better to preserve hearing wherever possible, and noting when the first signs of hearing loss appear can enable employers to keep things from worsening. Periodic workplace hearing tests can bridge that gap and keep everyone accountable, so workers are safe at the workplace, and so that a company operates within code. 

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 at (403) 399-4775.

When it comes to hearing testing, there are many questions to be answered. For example, “who sets up industrial hearing testing?” Answering this question is relatively straightforward, as it is business representatives, like safety consultants, who set up the appointments. We explain in more detail below.

hearing-testing

Everything You Need to Know About Setting Up Industrial Hearing Testing

Organizing Mobile Hearing Testing Services

The process of setting up industrial hearing testing is fairly simple. A business representative will contact our mobile hearing testing service and inquire about the availability of our services. Next, we decide on a time and location for the hearing testing to take place. When the right date arrives, our testing unit will come on-site, park in a convenient location and check in with the site contact. Where necessary, our team will attend relevant safety training and site orientation before the testing begins.

Other Considerations

Depending on the size of your company, you may want to consider organizing the appointment times for hearing testing. Very large companies may prefer to organize the testing by department (accounting, welding, etc.), name or another method. The process takes 12-15 minutes per person, so it is not advisable to queue outside the testing unit. 

Contact Our Mobile Hearing Testing Service Today!

To book an appointment for hearing testing at your facility, simply Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing a call. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you may have and book your testing appointment at a time that is convenient for you. 

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.