Qualitative Fit Testing for Hearing Protection
The Health Advantage offers qualitative fit testing for ear plugs. Why fit test ear plugs? Firstly, studies have shown that only about 70 percent of ear plugs are fitted properly. This means that at least a third of workers are not achieving the hearing protection that is promised by the ear plugs manufacturer.
How is qualitative fit testing undertaken? First the hearing is tested using The Health Advantage's Australian Standards audiometers and noise proof booths. The person is allowed to fit their ear plugs themselves and audiometry is repeated with the ear plugs being worn. The two audiometries are compared and the second audiometry should show a reduction in the hearing threshold that is equal or more than the rating of the ear plug. If it doesn't then the person's technique of fitting the ear plugs is assessed. We then ensure the ear plugs are fitted correctly and the audiometry is repeated. Almost always this will result in the further testing confirming that the ear plugs are working as intended. If not, then after one of our experienced medical practitioners has assessed the ear canals, recommendation will be made either for fitted ear plugs to be made by an audiologist or the use of ear muffs rather than ear plugs for hearing protection. Fit testing in this situation is incredibly important for two categories of workers, those working in very high noise levels (100 decibels or above) and those who have been shown to have a deterioration in their thresholds over time in spite of the wearing of hearing protection.
Why doesn't The Health Advantage offer quantitative hearing fit testing? In order to provide a quantitative hearing test, the ear plug itself has to be modified to allow the passage of a sensor into the ear canal behind the ear plug. Effectively this causes a distortion of the ear plug that may have the possibility of producing a result not as accurate as qualitative fit testing. As well, quantitative hearing fit testing can only be performed on one type of ear plug whereas qualitative is, in the opinion of The Health Advantage, just as accurate and can be offered for any ear plug that the company may be supplying.
