What Is Audiometric Testing?
Audiometric testing monitors your hearing threshold level when working in noisy occupations.
Chances are, if you are asking this question, you have been prompted by changes to WHS regulations, are in a new health and safety role, or perhaps you are an employee who has been asked by an employer or recruiter to undergo audiometric testing.
"Audiometric Testing" is the term given to "hearing screening" or a "hearing assessment" for workers who are in noise-exposed industries, at noisy workplaces, or are carrying out work around noise. SafeWork NSW simply states — if you need to wear hearing PPE, you fit the definition of "working in noise" and therefore need routine audiometric testing.
The purpose of audiometric testing is to monitor for early or existing signs of hearing loss due to long-term noise exposure, known as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
Audiometric testing is a test battery conducted using pure tone audiometry — essentially testing the quietest possible sound level a candidate can hear at different frequencies, particularly those used in human speech from 500Hz to 8kHz. It is the most robust, reliable way to compare the hearing sensitivity levels of anyone, anywhere in the world.
The Australian Standard
The audiometric testing standard in Sec. 58 of NSW WHS legislation is the same as for other states such as QLD and VIC. It is referred to in Sec. 5.4 of the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice for managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work. Audiometric testing required under the WHS Act is based on the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1269.4, which is in turn based on International Standard ISO 6189.
What Happens During a Test?
Audiometric testing is a quality-controlled procedure where a candidate, seated in a quiet room or booth, responds to a series of tones presented by the clinician at various intervals and frequencies. The levels at which a candidate responds are recorded and mapped in a chart called an audiogram.
Over time, the audiogram is a very reliable indicator of the state of your hearing. Given that Australian standards are based on global audiological standards, anyone audiologically trained will be able to interpret your results.
In summary, audiometric testing results conducted according to Australian and audiological standards are an important piece of health information that track whether your hearing is within normal range or is showing signs of Noise Induced Hearing Loss — or perhaps correlates to other medical conditions that may require further investigation or treatment.