Audiometry Baseline Test
A Baseline Occupational Noise Health Monitoring assessment will include the following components:
- Health and Occupational History Questionnaire
- Ear Examination
- Audiometric Assessment
It is important that you have at least 16 hours of Quiet Time prior to your assessment. That is, that you do not exceed noise above 85dB(A) that lasts for more than a few minutes. The table below shows some common sound sources and the dB(A):
| Typical Sounds Level in dB(A) | Sound Source |
|---|---|
| 140 | Jet engine at 30m |
| 130 | Rivet Hammer (pain can be felt at this threshold) |
| 120 | Rock drill |
| 110 | Chainsaw |
| 100 | Sheet-metal workshop |
| 90 | Lawnmower |
| 85 | Front-end loader |
| 80 | Kerbside: Heavy traffic |
| 70 | Loud Conversation |
| 60 | Normal Conversation |
| 40 | Quiet Radio Music |
| 30 | Whispering |
| 0 | Hearing Threshold |
Jobfit recommends that individuals undergoing Occupational Noise Health Monitoring do not listen to music through headphones or in-ear devices within the 16 hours immediately prior to their medical appointment. A baseline hearing test must be completed within the first three months of an employee commencing their employment for new workers. In NSW, for existing workers employed before 1st January 2024, the worker must undertake a hearing test before 1st January 2026.
Audiometry Periodic Test
A Periodic Occupational Noise Health Monitoring assessment will include the following components:
- Health and Occupational History Questionnaire
- Ear Examination
- Audiometric Assessment
Your Periodic Assessment should be booked for a time when you are at least 2 hours into your shift. This allows for a determination to be made on any evidence of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss and will take into account any hearing protection currently used as part of your role. An employee must undertake a periodic hearing test every two years (or more frequently if the worker is exposed to high average noise levels throughout their work shift).
Audiometry Exit Test
Exit Health Monitoring occurs when a worker is exiting employment. The reason for the Exit Health Monitoring is to obtain a final assessment to show any changes from the baseline health monitoring.
Physical Examinations
During a Baseline, Periodic and Exit Health Monitoring assessment, a physical examination may be required. The physical examination for Occupational Noise will include an examination of your ears and tympanic membrane.
What is an abnormal result, and how is this communicated?
If test results indicate that there has been evidence of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss, the registered medical practitioner may recommend that the worker be removed from working in the current working environment. If this recommendation is made, your employer (the PCBU) is required to remove the worker immediately from carrying out this work. There are instances where it will be mandatory to recommend the removal of a worker from working with within the working environment that has led to Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss.
In the event that a worker has been removed from working within the working environment that has led to Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss, the worker must undertake further health monitoring or clinical assessment, and be cleared as medically fit before they can resume working within the working environment that has led to Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss. Your employer (the PCBU) must receive a formal recommendation from the registered medical practitioner before the worker can resume working within the working environment that has led to Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss.
To set up a credit account for your business to conduct Audiometry Health Monitoring Assessments, please contact us
