Hearing Tests & Audiometry

Where there is noise there is often a requirement to provide hearing protection and health surveillance. In the workplace, there is a legal duty to provide a noise risk assessment and a hearing test (under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005).
This prevents or reduces risk to health and safety from exposure to noise at work and prevent noise induced hearing loss, it detects any issues early on and stops a deterioration in hearing. Lastly, it also provides some assurance with regards to the current control measures in place.

When do I need hearing tests and audiometry?

 In the workplace, there is a legal duty to provide a noise risk assessment and where there is an identified risk, a hearing test is also needed as part of the control measures  (under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005).

The aim of a hearing test is to prevent or reduces risk from exposure to noise at work and it can prevent noise induced hearing loss, it detects any issues early on which can stop a deterioration in hearing.  Lastly, it also provides some assurance with regards to the current control measures in place.

It is needed when;

Global OHS can...

Hearing level calculation

The hearing test is simple and non invasive, we use machinery that is calibrated yearly to do the assessment. The assessment takes no longer than 15 minutes and the process is as follows:

  1. The employee places noise cancelling head phones on and is given a button to press.
  2. The practitioner will start the test off and a selection of beeps and buzzes are sent through the earphones at different frequencies and decibels.
  3. When these are heard the employee simply presses the button.
  4. The assessment finishes and the hearing level is calculated.

There are 4 different categories of hearing test;

CAT 1

Normal hearing for age and gender

CAT 2

Normal for age and gender but coming close to reaching the lower limits of acceptable hearing

CAT 3

Below the expected Standard for Age and Gender, the recommendation is to refer to a medical professional and retest in a year (Hearing PPE imperative)

CAT 4

This result is a comparison from a previous result you have had but does not necessarily mean a bad outcome
Once the test has concluded the technician will discuss the results with the employee. Some companies may want hearing included in their health surveillance annually to run alongside their company policies and procedures.

We can offer medicals at our office in Burgess Hill most Fridays, or alternatively if you have a number of people, we can come to your site/office.

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“Global OH Solutions provide a fast and comprehensive service that enables us as the employer to support staff with a swift return to work. The quality of the reports enables us to have the precise information you need as an employer in order to support our staff. I would highly recommend GlobalOHS as an OH provider for your organisation.”
Rachel Hawkins
HR Director, Volution Ventilation UK

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