The hearing of employees exposed to noise can be monitored through regular mobile audiometric examinations. Such testing in itself is not a preventive mechanism, and is only relevant in the context of a comprehensive HCP. Any changes in hearing levels over time revealed by mobile audiometry shall be thoroughly investigated as to their cause(s) and the need for corrective action. An mobile audiometric testing program shall be available to any employee exposed to NEL. The employer shall conduct mobile audiometric test at no cost to the employees.

Audiometric report should contain the employee’s personal and employment particulars, test date, employee’s noise exposure level, relevant medical history and hobbies, audiogram, interpretation and recommendation as necessary.     All audiograms shall be interpreted by an Occupational Health Doctor (OHD).     The audiometric report of an employee shall be submitted by the audiometric test centre to the respective employer within 30 days from the date of testing. The report shall also include requirements for the employer to retest employee with temporary STS.

The employer upon receiving notification of temporary STS shall: make appropriate arrangement to protect the hearing of an employee from further deterioration by ensuring the employee fulfills at least 14 hours of quiet state without PHP prior to the retest audiometry; conduct a retest within three (3) months after the previous audiometric testing was carried out.

If an employee has a normal audiogram, the employer shall:─ inform the employee of his condition within 21 days after receiving the results; and continue the annual audiometric testing program.     If an employee has a hearing impairment, hearing loss or permanent STS, the employer shall:─ inform the employee of his condition within 21 days after receiving the results; provide the employee, if he has not been so provided, with a PHP; and refit and retrain the employee in the use of a PHP;     The baseline audiogram shall be replaced with the annual or retest audiogram if the annual or retest audiogram reveals:─ a permanent STS; or improved hearing threshold with respect to the baseline at two (2) or more test frequency

Summary of all audiometric report (baseline, annual and retest) for each calendar year shall be submitted by audiometric test centre to the Director General not later than 31st January of the following yea The summary shall include the following information:─ report reference number; date of audiometric testing; name of workplace; name and particular of employee; total number of employees tested; total number of employees with normal audiometric results; total number of employees with hearing impairment; total number of employees with NIHL; total number of employees with temporary STS; total number of employees with permanent STS; total number of employees with other audiometric results; other information required by Director General

If an employee has an abnormal audiogram, the attending OHD shall carry out a medical examination for that employee. The audiogram interpretation and medical examination of an employee shall be carried out by the same OHD.     The employer shall ensure his employees with abnormal audiogram undergo medical examination promptly after receiving audiogram interpretation from the OHD.

The medical examination shall consist of medical history taking, physical examination and other relevant investigations to diagnose or rule out any occupational or non- occupational auditory disorders.  The OHD shall conduct medical examination for all newly discovered hearing loss, hearing impairment or P Medical examination shall be repeated for a previously diagnosed NIHL or HI only if there is deterioration / “improvement” in the hearing status.

This is applicable for a case of “previously diagnosed NIHL with HI and/or PSTS in current audiometry” and “a previously diagnosed HI with PSTS in current audiometry”.   The OHD, after examining the employee, shall decide whether a referral is necessary for further management.

If the OHD is of the opinion that an occupational related permanent STS, hearing impairment or NIHL has occurred, he shall notify the Director General within seven (7) days using an approved form and at the same time inform the employer. The employer upon receiving audiometric report shall notify any occupational related permanent STS, hearing impairment and NIHL by using an approved form to the nearest Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) office within seven (7) days.

The notification to the nearest DOSH office shall include relevant information as shown in Appendix 6 and a copy of the latest audiometric report.   Hearing impairment or NIHL identified in the baseline audiogram conducted within three (3) months of the employee commencing work which would expose him to NEL, is not required to be notified to DO Notification is only required if the baseline audiogram conducted after three (3) months employee commencing work which would expose him to NEL.

Notification of a worker with occupational noise related hearing disorder to DOSH is only required to be repeated if there is a significant change in the worker’s hearing thre This significant change is marked by the presence of a permanent STS in the worker’s audiograms.