What is the OSHA requirement for conducting employee hearing tests?

What is the OSHA requirement for conducting employee hearing tests?

OSHA guidelines dictate that hearing tests be performed on employees frequently exposed to loud noises as a part of their duties prior to employment and annually. A pre-employment physical should include a hearing test to identify any pre-existing hearing loss prior to employment.  Annual hearing tests serve to document any reduction in hearing acuity over time in the work environment.

Employee hearing evaluations must be performed using Pure Tone audiometry. Testing can occur using a sound booth or in an open room. If testing is conducted in an open room, noise levels must be measured and documented as part of the test.

Most but not all screening audiometers are designed to measure the Standard Threshold Shift (STS).