10.6: Regular Hearing Screenings
- Page ID
- 63363
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If you are routinely exposed to hazardous levels of noise, your employer should provide yearly hearing tests to monitor your hearing loss over time. If your employer does not provide these tests, you should have your hearing tested by an audiologist. The initial test (baseline) will be used as the reference test. Future tests should be compared to the baseline to see if you need to do more to protect your hearing. These hearing tests can detect small shifts in hearing ability that have taken place since previous tests. When changes in hearing ability are detected, a retest is common to determine whether the change is permanent or temporary. Tests are relatively inexpensive and take about 20-30 minutes to conduct and get results.
When looking at your hearing test, levels greater than 25 dBA indicate impairment. Furthermore, losses in the higher frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000 hertz) are more significant and you should discuss them with your audiologist. You also can do daily monitoring of your hearing with a simple self-test. This works best if you drive yourself to work. When you reach your job site and are turning off the car engine, turn the radio on so it is just barely loud enough to hear (talk radio stations work well for this exercise) and go on with your day. When you return at the end of the work shift, check to see if you can still hear the radio with the power on, but the engine off. If you can’t hear the radio, think about what may have damaged your hearing and how you could better protect your hearing.
What training is required?
Employee training is very important. Workers who understand the reasons for the hearing conservation programs and the need to protect their hearing will be more motivated to wear their protectors and take audiometric tests.
Employers must train employees exposed to TWAs of 85 dB and above at least annually in the effects of noise; the purpose, advantages, and disadvantages of various types of hearing protectors; the selection, fit, and care of protectors; and the purpose and procedures of audiometric testing. The training program may be structured in any format, with different portions conducted by different individuals and at different times, as long as the required topics are covered.
Ear protective devices inserted in the ear shall be fitted or determined individually by competent persons. Plain cotton is not an acceptable protective device.