The hearing of employees exposed to noise can be monitored through regular audiometric examinations. Such testing in itself is not a preventive mechanism, and is only relevant in the context of a comprehensive HCP.

 Any changes in hearing levels over time revealed by audiometry shall be thoroughly investigated as to their cause(s) and the need for corrective action.

An audiometric testing program shall be available to any employee exposed to NEL (Noise Exposure Limit).

The employer shall conduct audiometric test at no cost to the employees.

All  audiometric  testing  shall  be  conducted  by  a  trained  audiometric  technician at  an approved audiometric test centre.

An  audiometric  technician  shall  conduct  a  screening  questionnaire  to  determine  other factors  which  may  affect  the  test  results  and  the  fitness  of  a  worker  for  the  test.  This questionnaire is conducted before an audiometric test.

Employer shall ensure that the audiometric testing shall be preceded by a period of quiet, that is, absence of exposure to sound level exceeding 80 dB (A) of at least 14hours without wearing any PHP.

Audiometric testing shall be repeated annually.

An audiometric test shall be of pure tone, air conduction, with test frequencies including 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz taken separately for each ear.

The audiometric testing shall include a valid baseline audiogram for  all  employees exposed to NEL. The baseline audiogram shall be carried out within three (3) months of the  employee commencing work which would expose to NEL.

The  employer shall  provide  his  employee’s  baseline audiogram on every  annual audiometry for reference to the attending OHD.

The  employer  shall  provide  his  employee’s  workplace  personal  noise  exposure monitoring information to the audiometric test centre for establishing work-relatedness of hearing disorders.