Audiometric Testing

Audiometric testing is a hearing evaluation procedure that measures a worker's ability to hear sounds at various frequencies and volumes, used to establish baselines and detect noise-induced hearing loss.

What Is Audiometric Testing?

Audiometric testing (also called a hearing test or audiogram) measures a worker's hearing thresholds at different frequencies (typically 500 Hz to 8,000 Hz). It is a key component of a Hearing Conservation Program required when workers are exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA (8-hour TWA).

Audiometric Testing Program Components

  • Baseline audiogram: Conducted before or within the first 6 months of noise exposure. Establishes the worker's reference hearing levels.
  • Annual audiograms: Conducted yearly to detect any shifts in hearing.
  • Standard Threshold Shift (STS): A change of 10 dB or more averaged across 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 Hz compared to the baseline triggers additional evaluation and intervention.

Follow-Up Actions

  • If an STS is detected, re-test to confirm, then evaluate noise exposure and hearing protection adequacy.
  • Notify the affected worker and provide counselling on hearing protection and noise avoidance.
  • Review engineering and administrative controls for noise reduction.

Track Hearing Conservation

Make Safety Easy tracks audiometric test dates, results and follow-up actions, alerting you when annual tests are due and flagging workers with threshold shifts.

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