Audiometric Examinations
Since the industrial revolution, technology and engineering have focused on better and quicker production times. Unfortunately, these improvements and upgrades often introduce other hazards in the workplace. Noise is one such hazard. Many industries do not consider noise reduction methods because of the misperception of the high costs involved. Noise in the South African working environment is defined as any sound at or
above 85 dB and many occupational settings have noise levels measured in excess of this noise-rating limit. It is recognized that exposure to these levels of sound without prevention or adequate protection will result in the development of numerous adverse health effects. Amongst these are: tinnitus, hearing loss, raised blood pressure, loss of concentration. Excessive noise is also associated with an increase in workplace accidents.
Uncontrolled exposure to noise in the occupational setting may cause occupational noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). In South Africa, once an exposed worker has shifted 10 percentage points from his/her first occupational medical (Baseline Medical) reading he/she is eligible for compensation. Pure tone air conduction (PTAC) audiometric screening tests are done on each employee to examine the effects of noise on the employee. If the testing is not correctly implemented a true reflection of the worker’s hearing is not established. This may lead to wasted expense through sending workers for unnecessary diagnostic testing and missing the detection of early damage in the employees hearing thresholds, and consequently failing to prevent NIHL. The motivation for this being that if testing is performed correctly and the appropriate action implemented then a decrease in the incidence of NIHL should ultimately be seen.