Comprehensive training in conducting regulation 58-compliant hearing tests in high-noise industries in WA.
Upcoming Dates
Description
The Audiometric Surveillance Course provides comprehensive training in the skills and knowledge required to conduct legislation-compliant occupational hearing assessments in Western Australia.
Course material is drawn from several key reference documents including:
- Work Health & Safety (WHS) regulation 58 and 118 in Western Australia
- Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice
- Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS1269.4
- NAL Report 80 Criteria for assessing hearing conservation audiograms
While conducting a hearing test can be perceived as simply “pressing buttons” there is far more involved in completing the task accurately and according to best practice. In addition to achieving compliance with WA legislation, this course develops “thinking” testers who have the confidence and ability to obtain accurate results and manage routine and challenging testing situations.
The Audiometric Surveillance Course is taught to small-medium sized groups. This allows our teachers to provide one-on-one, hands-on practical tuition and individually tailor each student’s development of key audiometry skills.
The course materials and skill set are drawn directly from the detailed list of 16 “competency requirements” for audiometric testers described in Appendix D of AS/NZS 1269.4; the primary reference document for conducting occupational audiometry in Australia.
To graduate from this course students must demonstrate competence in the 16 elements described in AS/NZS1269.4. Assessment of competence is via practical assessment and open book written assessment.
The written assessment includes a pre-course assignment, quizes during the course and an open book test on the final day.
On the final day students’ practical skills are formally assessed, using well-practiced templates and guides worked on during the course.
The pass rate for this course is high (over 90%). Supplementary assessments are offered, if required.
Course graduates receive a Certificate of Competence from The Hearing Company, Australia’s leading occupational audiometry course provider. The Certificate describes competency in the key aspects of occupational audiometry as detailed in: Australian Standard AS/NZS 1269.4, Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice and WA Work Health & Safety regulation 58/118.
The skills obtained from this course can be used in any occupational audiometry setting in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Course material is drawn from several key occupational audiometry reference documents including:
- WA Work Health & Safety regulation 58/118
- Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice
- Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS1269.4
- NAL Report 80 Criteria for assessing hearing conservation audiograms
Course topics
- Conducting hearing tests on adults following the Australian Standard technique
- Managing the effects of background noise on test accuracy
- Conducting otoscopy (ear inspections) safely and effectively
- Analysing audiograms and applying referral criteria
- Accurately describing audiograms and presenting test results to workers
- Ear anatomy, physiology and common ear conditions in adults
- Conducting an effective case history
- Audiogram comparison protocols and calculations (Australian Standard and other)
- Legislative and Australian Standards requirements for conducting workplace audiometry
- Effects of noise and other hazards on workers
- Hearing protection and other strategies for managing exposure to loud noise
- Managing challenging testing situations
- Detecting and managing equipment faults
The course runs over 4 days 8.15am to 5.00pm (although usually there’s an earlier finish on day 4). Students are required to attend all sessions.
There are no formal prerequisites for attending this course. We have many students attending the course without prior background in audiometry or health assessment.
The course does, however, include a lot of material and some is study required in order pass the written and practical assessments.