Did you know noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases in Canada? Approximately sixty percent of adults in Canada experience some degree of hearing loss, many without even realizing it. While not all hearing loss stems from workplace activities, noise remains a significant hazard across various industries. Unfortunately, noise is an inevitable byproduct of some manufacturing processes. Audiometric testing is one of the safeguards we have implemented at Global Power Technologies to help ensure that team members exposed to high noise levels do not suffer gradual hearing impairment. We have found that onsite testing best suits our needs and can be carried out with minimal disruptions.
During an audiometric test, the person is seated in a specialized soundproof booth, wearing headphones. An audiometric technician administers a series of tones to the left or right ear through the headphones. The individual indicates when a tone is heard, and the results are recorded on a special chart called an audiogram.
The audiogram will show the volume levels required across various frequencies for sounds to be perceived and typically will classify results as normal or abnormal. Those with abnormal results are referred to appropriate medical professionals for further testing. The whole process is very efficient with a single person being tested in less than ten minutes.
The data received during audiometric testing is invaluable to employers. By comparing subsequent tests with an established baseline, employers can check the efficacy of current hearing protection measures or detect patterns across various departments within an organization.
If you are concerned about noise levels affecting your workplace, please refer to this link for some general information.