screening audiometry

Following the introduction of the latest Control of Noise at Work Regulations, which became law in April 2006, extra responsibility is placed on employers to ensure that they monitor the health of workers who are exposed to daily noise levels over 85dB(A), LEP,d. This monitoring or Health Surveillance is usually in the form of the screening audiogram.

What is Screening Audiometry?

The purpose of carrying out a screening audiogram is to be able to record the quietest sounds that the individual can hear across a broad range of frequencies. This involves the subject listening to a series of sounds that are made louder and quieter until the threshold of hearing at that particular frequency is established. 

Once this result has been obtained it is recorded and the test then moves on to the next frequency. The testing is carried out in a randomised presentation manner to minimise any possibility of false results being recorded.

What happens with the results?

The results are plotted on an audiogram form, either manually or via a printer connected to the machine.

These results are then used to compute the categorisation of the individual’s hearing based on the recommended protocols of the Health and Safety Executive. These categorised results are then used to identify any problems with hearing, and are used to consider if any further action is required at this stage.

What sort of information will these results give me?

If an employee is identified as having hearing levels outside of the normal range expected for his/her age, then appropriate action will need to be taken to ensure that any further exposure to high noise levels is minimised. In some circumstances the hearing levels may be reduced sufficiently to warrant a referral to a medical practitioner for further advice. 

Bear in mind though that not all hearing loss is due to noise in the workplace, and it is feasible that an employee may have long standing hearing problems, possibly as a result of infections as a youngster or previous ear surgery. These cases will be identified by the pre-test questionnaire that is used prior to testing.

Do I have access to individual’s test results?

The results of the testing are summarised in a management report for the employer, and the individual results are provided separately. These personal results are considered as health records, and must be kept securely by a nominated person, separate from Personnel records, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

How long does it take to carry out the testing?

The Screening process consists of 3 stages:

  1. Checking the pre-test questionnaire and examining the ears for any obstructions or wax.
  2. Instructing the subject on how to perform the test and carrying out the test itself.
  3. Recording of the test results

Although the time taken does vary,the average time that an employee will be away from the workplace is 20 minutes.

Do you offer an “on site” service to minimise downtime and travelling?

Yes! Our purpose designed, mobile hearing test units based on Mercedes vehicles are fully equipped to enable all testing to be carried out at your site. The vehicles only require a standard 13 amp socket for mains hookup, although they also have a self contained generator system for use where no power is available. The mobile unit contains a hospital grade IAC sound booth and this ensures that all testing is carried out in compliance with the British Society of Audiology recommended maximum sound levels for carrying out Pure Tone Audiometry.

The cost of providing an on site service varies depending on a number of factors including travelling time, mileage, personnel costs, overnight accommodation etc. but we will always provide a firm quotation in advance of undertaking any contract. A quick cost estimator is provided on our pricing page, which should help give you some idea of costing for straightforward cases.

For smaller numbers of employees, it is often more cost effective for them to travel to one of our fixed sites for testing. These are based throughout the North East in Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland, Hexham, Darlington and Ponteland.