Pre-employment Testing
Work Related
Employment related hearing tests fall into two categories. The first is when a job requires a certain level of hearing to be able to complete the duties safely. The second relates to situations where the work environment is very noisy. Our clinicians at Advanced Hearing Solutions can assist you with either of these types of work-related hearing needs.
Certain jobs require you to hear well. This might be because of the equipment involved, or because the job involves emergency situations where not hearing something can be dangerous for you or someone else. Often in these cases, the organisation will require a hearing test either as part of the interview process or before you start the job if your application is successful. This is often referred to as a pre-employment hearing test.
The Hearing Test
What if I work in a noisy environment?
The second category of workplace related hearing tests relates to the situation where the work environment is noisy. Noise can be very damaging to your hearing, but noise related hearing loss is generally preventable. Jobs that are noisy often involve the use of loud machinery. Noise has a cumulative effect – the longer you are exposed to it the more damage it can do. Therefore, it is important to consider not just how loud the machinery is, but also how long it is used for and what hearing protection is being used. It is not unusual for a workplace to want a baseline hearing test in these situations, as well as screening tests throughout your employment, and at the conclusion of your employment. This enables both you and your employer to identify changes in your hearing during your employment.
By monitoring your hearing, steps can be taken in terms of hearing protection should you start to show signs of noise induced hearing loss. It could be that even if you are wearing hearing protection you need something stronger, or it could be that the fit of the hearing protection is not right for you and therefore not providing you with adequate protection. Hearing monitoring for those working in noisy environments also provides information should you need to submit a compensation claim due to a hearing loss thought to be caused by exposure to noise in the workplace.
Concerned about your staff’s hearing?
Work related hearing claims
What happens next?
- Providing pre-employment hearing tests
- Providing regular hearing checks
- Providing guidance regarding hearing protection
- Assisting you with a Workcover application to obtain assistance for a work-related hearing loss