Workplace Hearing Surveillance

“Health surveillance is putting in place systematic, regular and appropriate procedures to detect early signs of work related ill health and then acting upon the results. The aim is to identify and protect workers at increased risk and to check the long term effectiveness of measures to control risks to health. Employers are obliged to ensure that appropriate health surveillance is made available to employees for whom a risk assessment reveals a risk to their health.” HSA 2007

Hearing surveillance is health surveillance that focuses on hearing only. Exposure to loud noise at work can cause a deterioration in hearing over time: Noise Induced Hearing Loss NIHL. The purpose of a hearing surveillance program is to detect early signs of NIHL to allow intervention before significant hearing loss occurs. The program also identified individuals at risk of hearing loss and is a measure of the effective of noise control measures.

Hearing surveillance forms part of the company's overall noise control program with the aim of reducing exposure to loud noise using engineering, administrative, educational and use of HPE. If noise controls are effective this will be reflected in the outcome of the hearing surveillance program and will provide reassurance of a safe place of work.

A Workplace Hearing Surveillance Program involves periodically and systematically assessing the hearing of all employees who may be exposed to noise. The assessment includes a questionnaire looking for symptoms of NIHL and other hearing issues, a clinical examination of the ear canal and an audiogram. Results are analysed for each employee and for work areas. Repeated testing over time will show patterns of concern for individual employees and specific work areas, THis allows appropriate individual and group intervention to protect hearing.

Under Health and safety legislation, employees are obliged to cooperate with measures to protect their health and that of their colleagues. Employees written consent to engage in the hearing surveillance program is still required before proceeding with any testing.

At all stages of the workplace hearing surveillance program, the employee will be informed of any medical concerns and potential work related health issues.

The employee's medical details are confidential and will not be disclosed to the employer or any other third party without the employees written agreement. Medical information is highly sensitive personal data and the requirements of GDPR apply.

Medwise operates an open access policy in line with good occupational health practice. We make all documentation and records available to employees and their doctors.