In this blog, you’ll learn:
- Why hearing loss in the workplace often goes unnoticed until it impacts productivity or safety
- The benefits of offering workplace hearing screenings for both employees and employers
- How and when to take the next step with a professional hearing assessment
Hearing health is an essential part of overall wellbeing, yet it is often overlooked in workplace wellness programmes. Unlike vision or general health checks, hearing is seldom prioritised, even though untreated hearing loss can lead to decreased job performance, social withdrawal, and increased safety risks, particularly in industries where communication and alertness are critical.
Workplace hearing screenings are a simple, proactive step that can make a significant difference.
Why Hearing Screenings at Work Are So Important
Many people with hearing loss are unaware of the extent of their condition. A hearing screening at work can:
- Identify early signs of hearing loss before they begin affecting communication or safety
- Encourage timely treatment or use of hearing devices, reducing long-term impacts
- Improve mental health, as untreated hearing loss has been linked to social isolation, depression, and anxiety
- Reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, where employees are physically present but less productive due to unaddressed hearing issues
For employers, supporting employee hearing health is not only compassionate, it’s smart business.
The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss in the Workplace
Consequence |
Effect on Employee/Employer |
|---|---|
| Miscommunication | Errors, reduced team collaboration |
| Decreased awareness of environmental sounds | Safety hazards, especially in industrial settings |
| Withdrawal from team conversations | Lower morale and engagement |
| Mental fatigue from straining to hear | Reduced productivity and increased stress |
What Employers Should Know
Employers are increasingly expected to support their staff’s holistic health, including hearing care. Here’s what to keep in mind:
1. Hearing loss is common and often gradual
Many people adjust to slowly declining hearing, not realising how much they are missing until it’s significant.
2. Screenings are quick and non-invasive
A basic hearing screening can be done in under 20 minutes and may be offered on-site or referred to a nearby practice. When yearly occupational screenings are conducted, employees with a PLH shift of 10 from their baseline are flagged and require follow up testing. This testing is a diagnostic hearing test and there are legislative rules of what needs to be performed during this test. We conduct the occupational on site screening as well as the occupational diagnostic testing post screening referral as a once stop shop for our industrial clients.
3. It promotes inclusivity and accessibility
By prioritising hearing health, employers create a workplace where everyone can participate fully and comfortably.
4. It may be a legal requirement
In some industries, regular hearing assessments are part of health and safety regulations.
FAQs: Workplace Hearing Screenings
A: Annually is ideal, especially in noisy environments or for employees over the age of 50.
A: A screening is a quick check to see if further testing is needed. A diagnostic hearing test provides a full picture of hearing ability.
A: Yes. Even in quieter settings, difficulty hearing colleagues, phones, or virtual meetings can hinder performance and cause fatigue.
A: Any area where noise exceeds 85 dB(A) or where there is high impulse noise, requiring signage and mandatory protection
A: 85 dB(A) over 8 hours (rating limit) triggers action; above 90 dB(A) requires immediate intervention; impulse sounds over 135 dBC or 137 dBC peak are also regulated
Tips For Employers
- Integrate hearing screenings into annual occupational health checks.
- Schedule noise risk assessments and site updates according to new regulations.
- Provide refresher training at least annually, and when new equipment or processes are introduced.
- Partner with qualified audiologists (like the CVH Audiology team) to ensure compliance and support.
- Educate teams about signs of hearing loss, like asking for repetition or turning up volume excessively
- Encourage employees who fail a screening to book a diagnostic test with an audiologist
Relevant Legislation in South Africa
South African employers must comply with several laws and regulations aimed at preserving worker hearing:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) 85 of 1993
This act mandates that employers maintain a safe work environment and requires wellbeing measures where hazards are present - Noise‑Induced Hearing Loss Regulations, 2003 (R307)
These regulations set the noise-rating limit at 85 dB(A) over an 8-hour period and require employers to:- Carry out noise exposure risk assessments and monitoring
- Demarcate noise zones and enforce hearing protection
- Establish medical surveillance (including baseline and periodic audiometry) for affected employees
- Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 (Notice 5953, effective 6 March 2025)
These regulations update and strengthen requirements, including:- Expansion of noise monitoring and surveillance protocols
- Defined thresholds for noise action and rating limits
- Mandatory medical surveillance and training
- Physical Agents Regulations, 2024 (Notice 5952)
Came into effect alongside the noise regulations, covering noise and other physical hazards. Both sets will fully replace older rules by September 2026
Why Employers Should Care
Compliance isn’t only a legal requirement, it’s good practice.
Benefits include:
- Improved safety by reducing miscommunication and alertness failures in loud or machine-heavy environments
- Reduced costs, as early intervention prevents long-term health claims and compensation linked to hearing-related disability
- Enhanced workplace culture, where employees feel heard, valued, and protected
Components of an Effective Hearing Screening Programme
- Noise Risk Assessment & Monitoring
Conducted by a qualified inspector every two years or when noise levels exceed 85 dB(A) - Designation of Noise Zones
Clearly mark areas where hearing protection is mandatory - Hearing Protection (HPDs)
Provide free, approved earplugs or muffs and ensure proper training in their use - Medical Surveillance & Audiometry
Include baseline hearing tests when employees first start, followed by periodic tests, typically annually, for those in high-noise environments - Training & Record Keeping
Employees must be educated on risks, device use, and procedures; records of monitoring, training, and audiometry must be retained and reviewed
Next Steps
Make workplace hearing health a priority. If you or your team are exposed to noise, or already experiencing signs of hearing difficulty, now’s the time for professional support.
Book a hearing assessment with CVH Audiology by calling 011 615 3047 or emailing candice@cvhaudiology.co.za.Let us partner with your workplace to ensure hearing safety and compliance.