AUDIOMETRIC TESTING
Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common, untreatable but preventable occupational injury. Noise is defined as a loud, unwanted sound that causes disturbance to the ears. In 2018 an estimated 11 million Canadians (43%) have worked in noisy environments, and over 6 million of them (56%) were classified as vulnerable to workplace noise. In addition, a large percentage of workers exposed to noisy workplaces were vulnerable because hearing protection was neither required nor routinely used.
Occupational health and safety legislation protects workers from workplace hazards such as excessive noise which can be detrimental to both hearing and other aspects of health. Most workers in Canada are protected by provincial or federal legislation. Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Act and federal and provincial regulations are in place to protect the safety and health of workers in Manitoba. For e.g., Part 12 titled Hearing Conservation and Noise Control requires the employers to assess the workplace for noise exposure and provide guidelines for an effective hearing conservation program based on the level of noise in the workplace.
Intrinsic Analytics can help your company implement a Hearing Conservation Program and provide audiometric testing services to safeguard the health of your employees. Our Audiometric testing services meets or exceeds all regulations in accordance with Part 12 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health standards (M.R.217/2006) as well as most other jurisdictions safety regulations, including Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.95(g)
What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
Sounds that we hear in our day-to-day life from television, radio, household appliances and traffic are at safe levels and do not damage the hearing. However, sound can be harmful when they are too loud even for a brief time span or if it lasts long. These sounds can damage the sensitive structures in the inner ear and cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Exposure to harmful noise can happen at any age. People across different age groups including, children, teens, young adults and older people can develop NIHL.
Pitch and intensity both contribute to the sound that we hear.
- Pitch is defined as the frequency of sound vibrations in seconds. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). Human speech ranges from about 300 to 4000 Hz.
- Intensity (loudness) is defined as the quietest sound that the average human ear can hear. It is measured in decibels (dB). The normal speech is about 60 dB and a loud gun blast can go up to 140 dB.
What is Audiometric Testing?
Audiometric testing or hearing test establishes and monitors an employee’s hearing sensitivity and acuity. Exposure to high levels of noise causes hearing loss and may cause other harmful health effects such as headaches, stress, increased blood pressure and increased irritability. Hearing loss due to excessive noise can be hard to detect as it may not be noticed or recognised by the worker until their ability to hear is significantly compromised.
Industrial audiometric testing provides a means of early detection of noise-induced hearing loss. Early intervention and education regarding noise reduction in the workplace are key components in maintaining a healthy work environment.
How is an Audiometric Test Conducted?
An audiometric test measures an individual’s ability to hear sounds at different pitches and intensities. Detection of hearing loss can be performed by conducting baseline and periodic audiometric testing.
- Baseline Audiometric testing
Baseline audiometric testing provides a reference point that the future audiograms can be compared with. Once a baseline audiometric test has been performed, it is easy to regularly monitor the employee’s hearing abilities. Regular monitoring will help determine if the employee’s hearing has changed since the last test was conducted.
- Periodic Audiometric testing
With a baseline audiogram on file, periodic audiometric testing will help monitor the employee’s hearing abilities. It will help determine changes compared to the last audiogram and therefore help see a trendline for the same. If a fluctuation or change is observed in the audiograms, appropriate and necessary changes can be introduced to avoid further damage to the worker’s health.
The audiometric testing at Intrinsic Analytics comprises of the following steps:
- The individual is required to complete a hearing surveillance questionnaire to uncover any history of hearing abnormalities or any condition that may have an impact on testing
- An otoscopic ear examination of the outer and middle ear structure is performed in order to identify any abnormalities that may impede the ability to hear
- The individual is then subjected to a series of different frequencies and tones and is examined for their ability to hear properly
- Lastly, the experts at Intrinsic Analytics will analyze the resulting audiogram and provide secure and confidential reporting and recommendations
In order to understand whether a worker’s hearing is being impaired due to work related activities, it is highly recommended to perform baseline audiometric testing prior to employment, followed by periodic testing.
What Makes Intrinsic Analytics a Leader in Audiometric Testing?
Intrinsic Analytics’ licensed Industrial Audiometric Technicians provide hearing conservation programs or periodic testing for companies with programs already in place. Our audiometric tests are conducted in specially engineered sound proof booths to ensure acoustic integrity and produce the highest quality and reliability of testing. We use leading edge hearing conservation program software to provide our clients with easy to read reporting.
Additionally, we provide education on how to implement hearing conservation strategies at work. We often provide guidance to companies on the governmental reporting requirements that accompany such testing.
Intrinsic Analytics meets or exceeds all regulations in accordance with Part 12 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulations (M.R.217/2006) as well as most other jurisdictions safety regulations, including Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.95(g)
Who Will Benefit?
The Part 12 of Workplace Safety and Health Regulations (M.R. 217/2006), regarding Hearing Conservation and Noise Control, follows three principles:
- It is effective to reduce the noise levels in the workplace than to rely on hearing protection devices to protect workers
- Effective training and periodic hearing tests provide workers with appropriate knowledge about the effects of high noise exposure levels
- If it not possible to reduce noise levels, the use of personal hearing protection devices are required
It also states that employers must provide and maintain an audiometric testing program for all noise exposed employees under the following conditions:
- If the 8 hour average noise exposure level is equal to or greater than 80 dBA, employers should provide their workers with education on the hazards of noise exposure. Additionally, employers should provide their employees with sufficient hearing protection
- If the 8 hour average noise exposure level is equal or greater than 85 dBA, employers must submit their employees for annual audiometric testing as part of a hearing conservation program
Note: All new employees that may be subjected to 85 dBA of average noise exposure during an 8 hour day must undergo a baseline audiometric test within 70 days of commencing employment.
As per Safe Work Manitoba, industries that need audiometric testing include:
- Trades industry comprising of those working for heavy equipment stroke, asbestos exposure and electric shock
- Transportation industry comprising of those working for trucking, courier services, aviation, railway and warehousing
| Decibels | Loudness Comparisons |
| 109 dBA | Permitted Daily Exposure: 2 Minutes Rock Concert, Power Saw at 3ft |
| 100 dBA | Permitted Daily Exposure:15 Minutes Gas Lawn Mower at 3ft |
| 95 dBA | Permitted Daily Exposure:1 hour Electric Drill |
| 90 dBA | Permitted Daily Exposure:2 hours Truck Traffic |
| 85 dBA | Permitted Daily Exposure:8 hours City Traffic, Diesel Truck at 50 ft travelling 50mph |
Frequently Answered Questions
1. What high noise levels do to you?
When the eardrum vibrates, it moves the three tiny bones in the middle ear. This movement transmits the vibration to the fluid in the inner ear. Movement of the fluid is picked up by tiny hair cells (called cilia) which is responsible for transferring the movement to the nerves. The nerves sends signals to the brain where the sound is recognised.
When the ear is exposed to high decibel sound for a long time, cilia in the ear can get damaged. This reduces the signals being sent to the brain that eventually lead to reduced hearing. As the cells that produce cilia cannot be replaced or restored, the damage is permanent.
2. What are hearing protection devices?
As the name suggests, hearing protecting devices help to provide protection from high decibel noises (80 dBA and above). Hearing protection devices must always meet the requirements of CSA Standard Z94.2-14 – Hearing protection devices – Performance, selection, care, and use.
Hearing protection is mandatory when the noise exposure is above 85dBA.
3. What is Noise exposure assessment? When would a company require one?
Noise exposure assessment evaluates both the sound volume or intensity of the noise and the length of time a worker is exposed to.
A company can get a noise exposure assessment done when:
- A worker is likely to be exposed to noise levels above 80dBA
- New equipment is introduced into the workplace
- Changes to a work place that may change the noise levels
- A worker provides the company with an evidence of NIHL that may be attributed to the workplace
4. What is OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more commonly known by its acronym OSHA, is responsible for protecting worker health and safety in the United States. OSHA determines the standards and requirements that apply to different workplace environments and ensures that the employees adhere to those standards. OSHA rules cover numerous industry workplaces from construction to maritime to agriculture.