Employee Hearing Tests (Audiometry)
Why is hearing tests an important part of health and safety in the workplace?
Hearing tests make up a pivotal part of overall employee health monitoring and should be a cornerstone of any health and safety policy. When employees are exposed to excessive noise levels, employee hearing tests can provide many benefits. Not only is hearing loss a serious matter that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, but it can also lead to costly accidents and injuries on the job. A simple hearing test can detect early signs of hearing loss and help to ensure that employees are protected from further damage.
A workplace hearing test should be carried out where the noise exceeds 85dB. As an approximate guide, this is where there is a need to raise your voice in a working environment to speak to someone at a distance of 1 meter.
There are many benefits of employee hearing tests for employers, including:
- Early detection of hearing loss: Hearing loss is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. By testing employees’ hearing regularly, employers can identify those at risk and take steps to protect their hearing before the damage becomes irreversible.
- Improved safety: Employees who are struggling to hear may be more likely to have accidents or injuries on the job. By ensuring that all employees can hear properly, employers can help to create a safer work environment.
- Enhanced communication: Employees who are hard of hearing may have difficulty communicating with co-workers and customers. This can lead to misunderstandings and frustration on both sides. Regular hearing tests can help identify those with hearing loss so that appropriate measures can be taken to improve communication.
- Reduced costs: Hearing loss is a leading cause of disability claims and can be very costly for employers. By investing in employee hearing tests, employers can save money in the long run by preventing or reducing the severity of hearing loss among their workforce. Initial and regular / ongoing hearing tests will provide the employer with a record to use to counter any claims made by employees.
Here at OHSMED, we give employers and employees access to more than 12 years professional experience in Occupational Healthcare. With our employee health monitoring services, we can help you manage the health of staff that are exposed to noise or other harmful elements that could affect the health and wellbeing of your staff.