Noise Articles Archives - Anitech Audiometric testing

Work-related noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable but irreversible condition that affects many Australian workers.
 Between 28–32% of the Australian workforce is likely to work in an environment where they are exposed to loud noise at work.

 Noise-related injuries are most common in the manufacturing and construction industries with technicians and trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers most exposed.
Too much noise at work can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Hearing damage can occur from extended exposure to noise or exposure to very loud impact or explosive sounds.
 Long term exposure to loud noise is the most common preventable cause of hearing loss.

According to WHS Regulations, the exposure standard for noise involves two measures:
 LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A)
 LC, peak of 140 dB(C).

LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) implies that over an eight-hour shift a worker cannot be exposed to more than 85 decibels. Whether this is exceeded depends on the level of noise involved and how long a worker is exposed to it.
LC, peak of 140 dB(C) means a worker cannot be exposed to a noise level above 140 decibels. Peak noise levels greater than this usually occur with impact or explosive noise for instance, a gun-short or a sledge-hammering. Any exposure above this peak can create almost instant damage to hearing.

 These limits should protect most but not all people. The risks from workplace noise must be eliminated or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.
Ideally, you should keep noise levels below:
 50 decibels if your work requires high concentration or effortless conversation
 70 decibels if your work is routine, fast-paced and demands attentiveness or if it is important to carry on conversations.
Managing risks
If you have a noisy workplace with any noisy activities that may expose workers to hazardous noise levels, you should assess the risks by carrying out a noise assessment.
A noise assessment will help you:
 identify which workers are at risk of hearing loss
 determine what noise sources and processes are causing that risk
 identify if and what kind of noise control measures could be implemented
 check the effectiveness of existing control measures.

Complex situations may need measurement to determine a worker’s exposure to noise, such as workplaces with variable noise levels over a shift and jobs where workers move in and out of noisy areas. A noise assessment should be done by a qualified Health and Safety Professional in accordance with the procedures in AS/NZS 1269.1.

Steps to control noise in a workplace

The WHS Regulations require PCBUs to work through a hierarchy of control to choose the measure that eliminates or most effectively minimises the risks in the given situations.

 The most effective control measure is to eliminate the source of noise completely.

 If you cannot eliminate the noise, look at reducing it.
Remember that actions to eliminate or minimise noise may introduce new hazards, and risks associated with those hazards need to be managed effectively.
Other ways to minimise noise include:
 Engineering controls: These are common control measures and involve modifying equipment to reduce noise at the source or alternatively place barriers of plywood around the noise source. Barriers can also be placed along the transmission path to minimise noise levels or they can be placed around the worker to prevent noise exposure.

 Administrative controls: These involve using noisy machines during shifts where lesser people are exposed, limiting the amount of time a person spends near a noise source, moving workers away from the noise source to reduce their exposure or providing quiet areas where workers can be relieved from hazardous noise sources.

 PPE: Personal hearing protectors such as ear-muffs or ear-plugs should be used: when the risks arising from exposure to noise can’t be eliminated or minimised by other more effective control measures

o as an interim measure until other control measures are implemented
o where extra protection is needed above what has been achieved using other noise control measures.
The risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss is increased by relying too much on, and improperly using, personal hearing protectors such as ear muffs and plugs.
Audiometric testing
According to WHS Regulations, a PCBU must provide audiometric testing for a worker who is carrying out work if they are required to regularly use personal hearing protectors as a control measure for noise that exceeds the exposure standard.
 Audiometric testing must be provided within three months of a worker starting work that exposes them to a risk of work related noise-induced hearing loss.
Starting the audiometric testing before people are exposed to hazardous noise (such as new starters or those changing jobs) provides a baseline as a reference for future audiometric test results.
Regular follow-up tests must be carried out at least every two years. These should be carried out well into the work shift so that any temporary hearing loss can be identified.
How Can We Help?
Anitech Noise Solutions can help you by assessing the noise level in your workplace and we also provide tailored advice on complying with the laws in your state. Our consultants are certified OHS professionals who can help with audiometric assessment or hearing tests of the exposed workers. Anitech Noise Solutions offers simple, affordable noise compliance solutions based on your requirements.

For more information, see Safe Work Australia Publication: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/noise

You possibly think you do not need to see an audiologist for a hearing test despite being advised to do so by people around you. You must understand that routine checks can help to diagnose potential problems in their early stages and give you information about the options available to you to deal with them. Hearing loss is definitely not curable, but it can certainly be managed with specific devices designed for listening and for the issues of the patient.

When You Should Consider Having A Hearing Test

It will be a good idea for you to have an appointment with an audiologist if you are dealing with any of the problems mentioned below:

You have trouble falling the presentation of a speaker because you can’t understand what is being said.
You have a history of hearing loss within the family.
You are constantly asking people to repeat themselves.
You have trouble understanding people next to you in a crowded room or a restaurant.
Your family is complaining that you have the audio equipment in the home too loud.
You are having a difficulty understanding what people are saying.
You frequently hear ringing or buzzing in your ears.

You do not have the fear if you have scheduled an appointment with an audiologist because the examination will be simple and painless and be conducted to understand how well you are able to hear sounds and words at different levels of volume. The audiologist will only be looking forward to determining how your ears are functioning during the examination. It is quite possible that your regular doctor may consider checking your ears for wax and other physical issues if you have scheduled an appointment with him or her.

Your audiologist will also want to know about your medical history, especially if you have a history of hearing loss within your family. Information about your listening habits, working in a loud environment or whether you have been exposed to excessive noise will also be sought after. Your doctors may consider looking inside your ears to identify any physical issues, which could be affecting you. You will be advised to undergo further audio tests after you have gone through the physical examination.

There are a number of tests that can determine or assess how well you are hearing. You will be required to go through an entire list of different test before a final determination is made whether you need remedial action immediately or can wait for some time. The determination will be made after looking at the severity of your condition.

A hearing test is a simple procedure, which will help you prepare for the future in case you are afflicted by hearing loss. It is as simple as audiometric testing, which is commonly used in many workplaces. It is quite possible for you to feel that you do not need to go through this process because you would be able to manage the situation easily. However, you must understand it is somewhat distressing to deal with hearing loss because if you are required to use aids of some kind, it will be a matter which would make you feel you would have done better by consulting an audiologist earlier. Therefore, if you need the tests, you should not be looking forward to ignoring them but should rather prefer finishing the tests at the earliest.

Learn how to prevent hearing loss at work with the help of audiometric testing and how it works.

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