Audiometric Hearing Tests
Do You Have a Hearing Impairment?
Being unable to hear properly is a scary and isolating experience to go through alone. Some people are born with hearing impairments, others develop them over time as a result of illness, age, or work injury.
If you or someone you know has a partial or total hearing loss, there is a higher chance of experiencing associated sensory and motor difficulties. According to Hear and Say, one-third of people with a hearing impairment have associated vestibular dysfunction which can lead to problems with sensory processing and motor development.
Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the United States. Each year, about 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. Over 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear (ototoxic) and hazardous to hearing. In addition to damaging workers’ quality of life, occupational hearing loss carries a high economic price to society.
How Can Therapy Solutions Help?
Here at Therapy Solutions, we offer audiometric hearing tests that allow us to measure our patient’s hearing levels, and account for possible hearing loss as a result of an accident or work injury. Hearing screens are interpreted by an audiologist.
Our certified hearing technicians complete all hearing screens. Therapy Solutions assist with setting up and monitoring an effective hearing conservation program.
Our hearing tests include:
- Pre-placement – This test is performed before an employee begins a job to make sure they can perform job duties.
- Baseline – Audio tests performed so that there is a previous test to compare future test results to (for example, to measure the effects of a workplace on a patient’s hearing)
- Annual – Audio test performed once per year.
- Retest – Audio test performed to measure changes in thresholds and frequencies a patient can hear.
NIOSH Recommendations
The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for occupational noise exposure is 85 decibels, A-weighted, as an 8-hour time-weighted average (85 dBA as an 8-hr TWA) using a 3-dB exchange rate. Exposures at or above this level are considered hazardous.
Use the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls to reduce workplace noise to below the NIOSH REL whenever possible. Use hearing protection when hazardous noise levels cannot be adequately reduced.
Contact Our Office in Dickinson, Killdeer, and Richardton, ND Today
Being able to identify a hearing problem early on can be extremely beneficial, especially in cases related to your job. If you have balance issues, are experiencing a cognitive decline, need to have a hearing test done for a new job, or are noticing any symptoms of hearing loss in someone you know, contact our office today.
Our experienced occupational hearing conservationist (OHC) in Dickinson, Killdeer, and Richardton, ND will be able to perform the appropriate audiometric tests, evaluate your movement abilities, and create a customized treatment plan just for you.
