Occupational Hearing Assessment

Professional Audiometric Testing for Workplace Requirements
Occupational hearing assessments are essential for ensuring workplace health and safety, particularly in industries where employees are exposed to hazardous levels of noise (airlines, police force, defence force, etc). At Hobart Hearing Care, we provide comprehensive occupational hearing assessments that meet industry standards, helping employees and employers protect hearing health and comply with safety regulations.

What is an Occupational Hearing Assessment?

An occupational hearing assessment evaluates an individual’s hearing ability, focusing on the impact of workplace noise exposure. These assessments identify any signs of hearing loss, including noise-induced hearing loss, and help determine whether employees meet the hearing requirements of their role.

Our assessments include an examination of the ears, pure-tone audiometry (both air conduction and bone conduction), tympanometry and additional evaluations if needed, ensuring accuracy and compliance with workplace health standards. Here’s how you can prepare for your upcoming appointment:

Preparing for Your Assessment

  • Bring Required Documents: Include any workplace-provided paperwork and a valid form of identification.

  • Payment Information: If your employer is covering the cost, please ensure they have been in touch with us to confirm this. Otherwise, payment is required on the day and we can provide a tax invoice for reimbursement.

Who Needs an Occupational Hearing Assessment?

Occupational hearing assessments are frequently required for:

  • Pre-employment Screening: For industries such as airlines, police force, defence force or construction.

  • Workplace Health Monitoring: Regular testing for employees exposed to loud noises on a regular basis.

  • Hearing Conservation Programs: As part of workplace noise management and health initiatives.

Australian police officers

What to Expect During Your Occupational Hearing Assessment

1. Collection of Hearing and Health History:

A discussion of your hearing history and any relevant workplace noise exposure.

2. Ear Examination:

We examine your ear canals to identify any issues related to ear health.

3. Audiometric Testing:

Pure-tone Audiometry: Tests the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies (pitches). This is where we determine the softest possible sounds you can hear by playing different pitches through a pair of headphones

4. Additional Testing (if required):

Tympanometry can give us an indication of the health of the middle ears (the space behind the eardrums) . The test involves having a small, silicone tip placed in your ear, and you will feel a pressure change for a few seconds (much like going up a mountain or ascending on an aeroplane).

5. Results and Paperwork:

A detailed discussion of your results and completion of any workplace-supplied documentation.

Why Choose Hobart Hearing Care for Your Occupational Hearing Assessment?

Expert Audiologists: Our team has extensive experience in providing accurate audiometric tests.

  • Industry Compliance: Our testing aligns with occupational health and safety regulations.

  • Comprehensive Services: We offer in-clinic hearing tests for workplace-related hearing, as well as a variety of other follow-up and management services.

  • Noise Management Guidance: We provide advice on personal hearing protection and occupational noise management.

Frequently Asked Questions About Occupational Hearing Assessments

  • An occupational hearing assessment is a specialised hearing test that evaluates your ability to hear different frequencies for the purpose of providing a baseline to your employer and/or monitoring for hearing damage caused by workplace noise exposure.

  • These assessments are often required for pre-employment screening or as part of workplace health and safety programs to monitor and manage hearing health in noisy environments.

  • Employees exposed to hazardous noise should undergo audiometric testing annually or as recommended by workplace regulations.

  • The assessment includes pure-tone audiometry to measure hearing threshold levels, an ear examination, and potentially additional tests like tympanometry (see above) or speech understanding evaluations.

  • Currently, we provide in-clinic assessments only. For workplace-wide hearing conservation programs, contact us to discuss tailored options.

  • Bring workplace documentation, valid ID, and payment details if applicable.

  • If hearing loss is identified, we provide guidance on further evaluation, occupational noise management, and hearing protection strategies. Occasionally, hearing aids may be a valuable solution (depending on the current level of hearing).

  • If your employer has agreed to cover the cost, they must contact Hobart Hearing Care to arrange this before the appointment. Otherwise, you will be required to pay in full on the day and seek reimbursement with the tax invoice provided. The cost of an Occupational Hearing Assessment is $125. Please note this service does not attract a Medicare rebate.