The Importance of Audiology Testing and How to Get Started

About one out of every five workers is exposed to hazardous noise in the workplace, and hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the US.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), about 48 million or 14% of Americans report some degree of hearing loss. A similar amount reports tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.

Source: Alaska Hearing Aid Institute

Audiology testing is an essential part of occupational health care because it helps identify hearing loss and any other issues related to hearing. It can also help diagnose and treat any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the hearing loss. By being proactive, this test also helps determine if hearing aids or other assistive devices would be beneficial for the patient. By having regular audiology testing done, it ensures that any existing hearing issues are identified and treated as soon as possible, allowing people to live their lives without worrying about their hearing health.  

Hearing damage is one of the most common workplace injuries around, and ensuring that your employees are correctly using their hearing protection is a great step to protect your business and your employees.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is 100% preventable; however, once acquired, it is permanent and irreversible [NIOSH 1998]. Understanding and minimizing the risks associated with noise exposures are the keys to preventing noise-related hearing loss. 

MedPhysicals Plus offers audiology tests here in the state of Alaska for employers looking to protect their employees from hearing loss. Our audiology testing services can help businesses in several ways. Firstly, they can help employers comply with OSHA regulations regarding noise exposure and hearing protection. Secondly, regular audiology testing can help identify employees who may be at risk of hearing loss, allowing employers to take proactive measures to prevent further damage. Finally, our audiology testing services can help businesses reduce their liability by providing them with documented evidence of their employees’ hearing status. Our team of qualified staff uses state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate employees’ hearing ability and identify any potential hearing loss. We conduct comprehensive hearing assessments, including pure-tone testing, speech recognition testing, and middle ear analysis.

 

 

REFERENCES

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/hearingloss/index.html

https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52814-Hearing-loss-statistics-at-a-glance

https://www.alaskahearingaid.com/hearing/hearing-tests/

https://www.osha.gov/noise

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/impacts/alaska.html

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/default.html

https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2014/12/03/epi-hl/

https://www.alaskahearingaid.com/blog/understanding-different-hearing-loss-tests/

https://soundchoiceak.com/services/hearing-test/

https://www.entspecialistsak.com/treatments/hearing-test/