What You Need to Know
The Importance of HSA Hearing Surveillance Noise is a constant in many industries, but prolonged exposure to high levels causes permanent, disabling damage. In Ireland, workplace noise is measured by the “daily noise exposure level” (LEX, 8h). If your workers are exposed to levels above the upper action value of 85dB(A), they are at an increased risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
Identify the Need for Audiometry Testing in Ireland: As an employer, you are legally obliged to carry out a Risk Assessment if:
Noise is intrusive for most of the working day.
Staff must raise their voices to have a conversation 2m apart.
Noisy powered machinery is used for over 30 minutes daily.
Employees report muffled speech or tinnitus (ringing in ears) after shifts.
Estimating Personal Noise Exposure You are required to provide a representative estimate of your workers’ daily noise “dose.” If you suspect exposure exceeds the lower action values (LEX,8h = 80 dB(A)), you must commission a professional Noise Survey.
Mobile Medicals recommends a detailed survey to determine if your current countermeasures comply with Irish Health and Safety regulations.
Statutory HSA Hearing Surveillance The 2007 General Application Regulations mandate that appropriate hearing surveillance be made available to employees based on risk levels:
Preventative Audiometry: Available where exposure exceeds 80 dB(A).
Mandatory Hearing Checks: Required where exposure exceeds 85 dB(A).
What Our Audiometry Testing in Ireland Includes: Our clinical process is designed for early diagnosis and the preservation of hearing:
Medical History: Review of hearing difficulties and Hearing Protection Equipment (HPE) use.
Physical Examination: Inspection of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane.
Pure-Tone Audiometry: High-accuracy screening conducted in our mobile units.
Professional Mobile Audiometry Units Mobile Medicals performs all screenings following strict H.S.A. Guidelines under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 2007.
Our mobile audiometry units offer:
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Physician Oversight: All tests are supervised by a Specialist Occupational Health Physician.
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Expert Review: Abnormal results are reviewed by our physicians to determine causation and provide necessary follow-up assessments.
Protecting Against Irreplaceable Hearing Loss Hearing loss is often gradual and permanent. What begins as “temporary deafness” after a shift is a warning sign of future disability. By the time damage becomes noticeable—often combined with natural ageing—communication via phone, television, and daily conversation becomes impossible. HSA hearing surveillance is the only proactive way to prevent this progression.
Chapter 1 of Part 5 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) Irish law sets the minimum requirements for protecting workers from noise. Compliance involves:
Prevention: Reducing noise at the source.
Risk Control: Engineering and administrative controls, plus the use of HPE.
Surveillance: Regular, systematic procedures to detect early signs of damage.
Efficient, Localized Solutions HSA hearing surveillance is not just a legal requirement; it is a vital metric for the effectiveness of your long-term noise control measures.
Mobile Medicals provides a complete end-to-end service:
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On-site screenings via our mobile audiometry units.
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In-depth result analysis and specialist physician review.
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Comprehensive site summary reports and multi-year trending data for your safety files.
