Industrial Hearing Tests and Screenings
Regular industrial hearing tests to determine early signs of hearing loss and the use of ear plugs in loud noise venues help to prevent permanent hearing loss.
There are many professions that expose employees to loud noise and it’s this loud noise that, over time, can cause significant hearing loss or damage. This is why it’s so crucial to have regular industrial hearing tests and screenings.
Thankfully, due to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, workplace requirements for hearing conservation have been enacted. According to OSHA CFR 29 1910.95 & MSHA Part 62, the purpose of these requirements is to standardize hearing safety practices in the workplace so that hearing loss or damage is eliminated or mitigated. Technically, employees exposed to 85 dB of noise must have their hearing tested. Failure to test employees under this circumstance can result in non-compliance fines.
As a result, many companies hire hearing conservation companies with mobile hearing evaluation units to visit the workplace and test employees hearing. The mobile units are typically staffed by a hearing specialist or audiologist. Testing is typically quick and employees can return to work within an hour. Mobile units are climate-controlled and are equipped with sound booths.
Industrial hearing testing offers the following services:
- Audiometric testing – tests an employees ability to hear sounds
- Otoscopic screenings – focuses testing on the eardrum
- OSHA noise compliance testing
- Audiologist review of all “problem audiograms” indicating noise induced hearing loss
- Online tracking and trending reports
- Training and counseling