Audiometric screening services

Health Surveillance

Health surveillance is about putting in place systematic, regular and appropriate procedures to detect early signs of work-related ill health, and acting upon the results. The aims are primarily to safegaurd the health of workers (including identifying and protecting individuals at increased risk), but also to check the long-term effectiveness of measures to control risks to health.

Occupational audiometry is a screening technique used to detect early damage to hearing resulting from exposure to noise. Identifying any damage allows appropriate follow-up remedial action in the workplace and any necessary medical referral of the individual. Screening audiometry may also find changes in hearing due to other causes, and using diagnostic procedures such as bone conduction can aid diagnosis.

Our two purpose built mobile screening units are delivered to the test location. They are fully equipped with their own consultation rooms containing acoustic sound shelter and separate waiting area.

Our larger unit measures 7 x 2.2 mts (20' x 7"6'). Power is supplied via a 13 amp, 240 volts connection.

This smaller unit measures 3.65 x 2.5 mts (12' x 8') which is particularly useful to clients with limited space on site. Both units have the same level of equipment fitted.

Advice for employers on when health surveillance might be appropriate is given in the Health & Safety Executives leaflet Health surveillance in noisy industries.

Efficiency of hearing conservation programme and effectiveness of hearing protection monitored. Insurance premiums can be reduced and help protect companies against possible future litigation. Annual testing can highlight high risk factor employees. The process of audiometry will assist in the education of employees concerning the effects of exposure to noise at work, which will increase awareness, improve attitudes and behavior.

Employer / employee relationship is enhanced, the employee feels he is being protected and valued as an important member of the company’s team. Hence improved staff moral and productivity.

All audiometric tests are carried out, in accordance with the recommended protocol stated in EN26189:1991 and ISO 6189-1993. This International Standard lays down requirements and procedures for conducting pure tone air conduction audiometry for hearing conservation purposes. In addition, we follow the advice for health professionals on conducting Audiometry issued by the Health & Safety Executive Notes MS 26 ISBN 07176 0942 1.

The comprehensive SHIRE and SHETLAND programmes are carried out on-site utilizing one of our two mobile screening units. This will minimize time employees are absent from their workstations thus reducing loss of productivity. The screening units, are delivered to the test location and are fully equipped with their own consultation rooms containing an acoustic sound shelter and separate waiting areas.

The Health & Safety Executive’s “A Guide to Audiometric Testing Programmes” (MS 26) is the basis of our service, which advises Occupational Health Professionals on: -

The general approach to carry out Pure Tone Audiometric Testing.

Methodology.

Record keeping.

Interpreting the results.

The Shire programme should be used initially to obtain the base line audiometric tests and would consist of the following elements: -

i)             Introduction:    Explanation by qualified audiologist to the employee of the test objectives and the technique of Pure Tone Audiometry .

(ii)           Aural Examination:      Binaural otoscopic examination of the outer ear and tympanic membrane (eardrum). Detection of any major abnormality or the presence of discharge or wax identified.

(iii)           Questionnaire: Written record of personal details and previous employment together with any relevant medical history and other excessive noise exposure. Completed prior to examination, any problem areas discussed further with employee.

(iv)           Pure Tone Audiogram: Manual pure tone air conduction hearing test, performed with the test subject in the acoustic sound shelter. This involves presenting sounds of fixed frequencies and varying intensities to the ear through earphones contained within Amplivox acoustic cups. The results are compiled in audiogram form.

The audiologist is seen here conducting the hearing test with the employee seated within the acoustic sound shelter. The shelter provides the subject with the best possible environment, which is quiet and distraction free. This will enable accurate results to be obtained.

(v) Diagnostic Bone Conduction: When necessary, further tests are undertaken to assess the possible causes of an abnormal audiogram by means of additional procedures.

(vi) Counselling: Verbal explanation of hearing test results to employee. Educational advice given regarding fitting, cleaning and maintenance of hearing protection and the hazards of exposure to high levels of noise, and finally, individual company policy reinforced. Agreed leaflets and documentation issued.

Upon completion of the screening programme IHA’s Chief Audiologist audits the results and a full report is compiled. This report will contain the Health & Safety Executive’s recommended categorization scheme. In the summary certain recommendations and observations will be given.

The report lists in detail all employees tested and gives the company’s percentage failure rate; the below average results being quickly and easily identified. The report’s analysis provides a platform for an Action Plan towards an improved Hearing Conservation Programme: -

The audited report together with the audiogram and questionnaire documents will be returned to your company personally.

Subsequent screenings will be as per our Shetland Programme and would exclude the completing of the questionnaire, the diagnostic bone conduction and tympanometry, but would include a comparison to previous test. If any significant deterioration were found then this would be highlighted on the audiogram and in the report.

The HSE advises that it is good practice for employers to carry out regular hearing checks where employees’ daily personal noise exposures are 85dB(A) or higher.

The HSE leaflet, Health Surveillance in Noisy Industries – advice for employers, says that testing is usually carried out annually for the first two years of a hearing check programme, and then at three-yearly intervals, unless an abnormality is detected or the risk of hearing damage high. It adds that annual checks give more information about how well a hearing conservation programme is working and whether advice given to employees about noise has changed attitudes and behaviour.

Noise Assessments - The new Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, came into force on 6th April 2006 and is likely to impact on your work place.

Are your employees exposed to Noise Levels above 80 dB(A) Lepd ?

Assessment of the risk to health and safety created by exposure to noise at the workplace.

Regulation 5 of the regulations states:

(1) An employer who carries out work which is liable to expose any employees to noise at or above a lower exposure action value shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk from that noise to the health and safety of those employees, and the risk assessment shall identify the measures which need to be taken to meet the requirements of these Regulations.

(2) In conducting the risk assessment, the employer shall assess the levels of noise to which workers are exposed by means of—

(a) observation of specific working practices;

(b) reference to relevant information on the probable levels of noise corresponding to any equipment used in the particular working conditions; and

(c) if necessary, measurement of the level of noise to which his employees are likely to be exposed,and the employer shall assess whether any employees are likely to be exposed to noise at or above a lower exposure action value, an upper exposure action value, or an exposure limit value.

(3) The risk assessment shall include consideration of —

(a) the level, type and duration of exposure, including any exposure to peak sound pressure;

(b) the effects of exposure to noise on employees or groups of employees whose health is at particular risk from such exposure;

(c) so far as is practicable, any effects on the health and safety of employees resulting from the interaction between noise and the use of ototoxic substances at work, or between noise and vibration;

(d) any indirect effects on the health and safety of employees resulting from the interaction between noise and audible warning signals or other sounds that need to be audible in order to reduce risk at work;

(e) any information provided by the manufacturers of work equipment;

(f) the availability of alternative equipment designed to reduce the emission of noise;

(g) any extension of exposure to noise at the workplace beyond normal working hours, including exposure in rest facilities supervised by the employer;

(h) appropriate information obtained following health surveillance, including, where possible, published information; and

(i) the availability of personal hearing protectors with adequate attenuation characteristics.

(4) The risk assessment shall be reviewed regularly, and forthwith if—

(a) there is reason to suspect that the risk assessment is no longer valid; or

(b) there has been a significant change in the work to which the assessment relates,

and where, as a result of the review, changes to the risk assessment are required, those changes shall be made.

(5) The employees concerned or their representatives shall be consulted on the assessment of risk under the provisions of this regulation.

(6) The employer shall record—

(a) the significant findings of the risk assessment as soon as is practicable after the risk assessment is made or changed; and

(b) the measures which he has taken and which he intends to take to meet the requirements of regulations 6, 7 and 10.

Exposure limit values and action values

Regulation 4 of the regulations states:

(1) The lower exposure action values are—

(a) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80 dB (A-weighted); and

(b) a peak sound pressure of 135 dB (C-weighted).

(2) The upper exposure action values are—

(a) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85 dB (A-weighted); and

(b) a peak sound pressure of 137 dB (C-weighted).

(3) The exposure limit values are—

(a) a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 87 dB (A-weighted); and

(b) a peak sound pressure of 140 dB (C-weighted).

(4) Where the exposure of an employee to noise varies markedly from day to day, an employer may use weekly personal noise exposure in place of daily personal noise exposure for the purpose of compliance with these Regulations.

(5) In applying the exposure limit values in paragraph (3), but not in applying the lower and upper exposure action values in paragraphs (1) and (2), account shall be taken of the protection given to the employee by any personal hearing protectors provided by the employer in accordance with regulation 7(2).

Our noise assessor in the process of recording sound level measurements using a CEL sound analyzer. From the data obtained action levels will be calculated.

Following the on site noise risk assessment using a sound level analyzer a Noise Management Report will be completed.

Our engineer has completed a Noise at Work Risk Assessor Competency Course, recognized by The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and is qualified to carry out Noise Assessments required by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

Please refer to our address and email section of this site for further details of how to obtain a quotation for your on-site noise assessment.