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Audiometric/Hearing Testing for the Workplace

Audiometric/Hearing Testing for the Workplace

Did you know that noise-induced hearing loss is now the leading non-fatal occupational disease claim?

Preventing hearing loss through early identification by an audiogram or hearing test is a must to meet legislative requirements, but it also has other big benefits such as assessing the effectiveness of your noise exposure management system and identifying individuals with hearing limitations, which can lead to the prevention of serious incidents in the workplace.

Typically, monitoring using audiometric testing is done once prior to entry into the workplace as a baseline, then periodically at the recommended industry rate or as outlined by the legislative requirements of the province, and finally at the exit from the workplace.

Our turnkey hearing testing/audiogram service makes it easy to comply with legislation and enhance safety in your workplace. If you’re operating in multiple provinces, occupational health and safety standards require having a new baseline test completed prior to the worker going to the new site. As always, confidentiality is assured and we maintain the health care records for the required length of time.

Introduction

Noise-induced hearing loss is the leading non-fatal occupational disease claim for the last decade. Not surprisingly, many Canadian employers are legislated to monitor the effects of workplace noise through audiometric testing.

Most employers consider monitoring using audiometric testing for hearing loss to be a measure solely intended to maintain legislative compliance. They overlook important safety benefits of such monitoring, such as assessing the effectiveness of noise exposure management systems and identifying individuals with hearing limitations, which can sometimes lead to serious incidents.

Audiometric Testing with Physician Review

An audiometric examination assesses a person’s ability to hear tones at various frequencies and decibels (loudness). It helps to determine the effectiveness of ear protection and the degree of hearing loss related to exposure to noise and non-occupational illness.

Our audiogram tests include documenting a comprehensive noise exposure history and determining current hearing status by checking for recent loud noise exposure and physically examining the ear canal. A technician then conducts testing at six frequencies at various decibel levels. A trusted physician will review the history and clinical information to determine testing status and provide intervention when needed. Finally, your authorized representative receives a secure and confidential report containing the results.

Occupational Hearing Testing of the Highest Calibre

  • OHS-qualified technicians trained by an agency acceptable to the province in which testing is performed (where required)
  • Easy to combine with drug and alcohol testing or fitness testing
  • Record retention is maintained in accordance with OHS requirements, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Ministry of Labour by province, whichever is greatest

Safety

The main purpose of introducing audiometric testing into a workplace is to identify any immediate hearing limitations that may present a risk to individuals operating in safety-sensitive roles or environments where hearing is an essential requirement of safe work.

Employers operating across multiple provinces are required to comply with the strictest provincial requirement, in order to allow compliant transfer of employees between operating locations.

Employers who proactively take steps to address noise exposure achieve greater financial success and operational stability, and promote a culture of productivity and safety.

The goal of the assessment is to “determine whether an individual is fit to perform his or her job without risk to himself or others.”

Overview

The audiogram with physician review is a turnkey choice for employers interested in complying with legislation. Additional benefits are hiring or transferring employees between provinces, and maintaining medical records confidentially for the required length of time. The goal of the audiogram is to assess the effectiveness of hearing protection, the degree of hearing loss related to exposure to noise, and any non-occupational illness that might affect hearing.

The audiogram offered by CannAmm takes twenty minutes to half an hour to complete and consists of five parts:

  • Part 1: Consent for release of clinical information both past and present.
  • Part 2: Documentation of a comprehensive noise exposure history and current hearing status, including a check for recent loud noise exposure and a physical examination of the ear.
  • Part 3: Audiometric technician testing at six different frequencies that sound is measured at various decibel levels (loudness).
  • Part 4: CannAmm’s trusted thorough physician review of the history and clinical information to determine testing status and provide intervention when it is required.
  • Part 5: Providing secure and confidential reporting of the final testing status to the authorized company representative.

The technician performing audio testing must be trained by an agency acceptable to the province in which the test is performed, where applicable. For example, in Alberta, Occupational Health and Safety is the agency responsible to enforce the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act. The act specifies the training requirements of the technician and mandates that the technician must work in consultation with a physician, audiologist, or occupational health nurse.

Download the Audiogram/Audiometric Testing datasheet.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you, or to arrange for hearing testing.

Legislative and Contractual Compliance

Audiometric testing is well established as a mechanism for exercising due diligence in noisy work environments. This table summarizes federal and provincial exposure limits, along with each province/territory’s legislated testing requirements.

Occupational Audiometry is Good for Everyone

Audiometric testing protects employees in your organization. When hearing loss is identified early this makes it possible to prevent further damage and helps motivate people to comply with hearing protection measures. In many workplaces, the ability to hear can prevent potentially fatal accidents from occurring.

Contact CannAmm today for more information on various provincial requirements for audiometric testing.