Hearing Surveillance and Monitoring

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), about 25% of all workers have been exposed to hazardous noise, with 14% (or 22 million) exposed in the last year. Among these, 53% report not using hearing protection, and around 20% of noise-exposed workers tested show significant hearing loss affecting daily life. Additionally, 13% have hearing impairment in both ears.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program (HCP) when employee noise exposure reaches or exceeds 85 decibels over an eight-hour workday, known as the “action level”. The purpose of the HCP is to prevent hearing loss, preserve existing hearing and provide workers with protective equipment and knowledge about hearing safety.

Protecting your employees: Hearing monitoring and surveillance

Banner Occupational Health can help your company comply with OSHA’s HCP requirements and support employees hearing through services like:

• Hearing tests (audiogram): OSHA requires baseline audiograms within six months of initial action level exposure. 
• Annual audiometric monitoring: OSHA mandates regular audiometric testing, compared against baseline audiograms, to track any decline in hearing over time.
• Hearing surveillance: We gather and analyze hearing and noise exposure data to identify high-risk groups, measure the success of interventions and support preventive strategies.

Hearing monitoring and surveillance are important for employee health, helping reduce occupational risks that may contribute to hearing loss. Occupational hearing loss affects employees across diverse industries including:

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Services
• Transportation and warehousing
• Utilities
• Wholesale and retail trade

Banner Occupational Health will partner with you to strengthen your company’s HCP through a customized package of hearing monitoring and surveillance services, supporting the long-term health of your workforce.

Comprehensive services

Banner Health offers occupational health services across Arizona and Northern Colorado tailored to meet specific industry and company needs.  Our occupational health teams provide convenient, high-quality services that reduce workplace risks, enhance productivity and promote a safe work environment.

We offer a range of occupational health services, including respiratory mask fittings, DOT exams, workers’ compensation injury care, screenings, diagnostics, vaccinations, and more - at our clinics, on-site at your workplace or through our mobile health unit.

Mobile health clinic 

Our 40-ft. mobile health unit brings convenient hearing monitoring and other health services directly to your workplace, helping minimize employee time away from the job. The unit includes two audio booths, an exam room, restroom, respirator testing equipment, pulmonary function equipment and vision testing equipment. For more information on how Banner Occupational Health and Wellness can help protect your employees and meet regulatory health standards, contact us today.