Screening Audiometry - Hearing Tests and Noise Assessment

Check the effectiveness of your hearing conservation measures. The 2005 Control of Noise Regulations make screening audiometry compulsory.

Health surveillance for noise (screening audiometry) is compulsory as from April 6th, 2006 as per the new 2005 Control of Noise Regulations, for all employees regularly exposed to an Leq above 85dB(A) and for susceptible individuals down to 80dB(A). Audiometry is a screening technique used to detect early damage to hearing resulting from exposure to noise. Identifying any damage allows appropriate follow-up remedial action in the workplace and any necessary medical referral of the individual. It is an early warning system, which enables the employer to take steps to reduce future harm. Claims for noise-induced hearing loss are also one of the most common occupational health (compensation) claims and audiometry will help to control future claims. We frequently combine audiometry with a Risk Assessment for Noise (this used to be called a noise assessment or noise survey), another requirement of the 2005 Control of Noise Regulations.

Hearing & Healthcare Ltd has offered this service since 1987. We test the hearing of more than 15000 employees per annum throughout the United Kingdom. Many of our clients have been satisfied customers for over 15 years.

Each of our custom-built, air conditioned mobile test units is equipped with two soundproof booths and regularly calibrated automatic recording audiometers. We use trailers, similar in size to a caravan, which can be left on site for multi-shift testing, fitting in with your shift system. Two employees are normally tested simultaneously. The result, a pure-tone Bekesy audiogram, is a highly repeatable, exact reading of the hearing thresholds of each ear by frequency. We also visually inspect ears for wax and/or disease and administer a questionnaire. Following the test, the results are categorised as specified by the Health & Safety Executive. The criteria for audiometric classification are now based on a summation of the hearing levels obtained at 1, 2, 4 and 6kHz but we also test 0.5, 1.5 and 8kHz. The results, which are passed to you in a confidential manner, should be maintained separate from personnel records, by a nominated person. A management report, providing grouped data is presented to the company. This lists the employees tested by name, including their hearing threshold levels in coded form to comply with patient confidentiality.

Employees with noise-induced hearing loss are highlighted, as are any changes which may have occurred since a previous test. Any hearing losses not due to noise are naturally also recorded. We refer for a medical opinion where required. Each employee receives a written explanation. We can check the condition and suitability of the ear protection used by each employee, if required.

Hearing and Health Care - Audiometry Testing