Occupational Hearing Testing
Mobile Hearing Testing, On Site at Your Facility
Foster Special Instruments brings OSHA audiometric testing to your plant. CAOHC-certified technicians run baseline and annual audiograms in our mobile unit or a quiet room, and a licensed audiologist reviews the results. Based in Cincinnati and available nationwide.
What mobile hearing testing is
Hearing testing for workers, also called audiometric testing, measures each employee's hearing at set frequencies and compares the result to that employee's own baseline. For employers with noise exposure, it is the part of the OSHA hearing conservation standard that shows whether hearing is changing over time.
Mobile hearing testing moves that test to your site. Instead of sending workers to a clinic, our technicians come to you and test during the shift. This page covers the testing service itself. If you want a partner to run the whole program, including the written program, notifications, and follow-up, see our managed hearing conservation program.
How a mobile hearing test visit works
Tell us about your workforce
Send the number of employees to test, shifts, and your ZIP code through the online quote calculator. Choose a mobile testing unit or a quiet-room setup.
We schedule the visit
Foster plans testing time around your shifts so production keeps moving. If you choose a conference room or other quiet space, we confirm it is quiet enough for valid audiometric testing before we schedule.
We test on site
CAOHC-certified technicians test employees at your facility on Benson audiometers. Employees walk in, get tested, and go back to work. No travel to a clinic.
A licensed audiologist reviews the results
Every annual audiogram is compared to the employee's baseline and checked for a standard threshold shift. You receive organized results and records.
Mobile unit or quiet-room setup
Both options are available nationwide, and both run on industry-standard Benson audiometers that Foster also sells and calibrates.
Mobile testing unit
Up to 25 employees per hour
Our mobile unit parks at your facility and tests employees in the trailer at a steady pace. It brings its own controlled test environment, so you do not need to find a quiet space on your site.
Quiet-room setup
Up to 40 employees per hour
We set up four audiometers in a conference room or other quiet space you provide. It is the faster option for larger groups when you have a room that is suitable for valid audiometric testing.
A quiet-room setup depends on a room that is suitable for valid audiometric testing, so we confirm the space before scheduling. Not sure which fits your site? Tell us your headcount and shifts in the mobile hearing testing quote calculator and we will recommend one.
Who needs OSHA hearing tests
Testing is compliance-driven. Employers are held to the OSHA hearing conservation standard and choose their own vendor to meet it.
Employees at or above the action level
OSHA requires a hearing conservation program when employee noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels (dBA). Audiometric testing is part of that program.
29 CFR 1910.95(c), (g)
A baseline audiogram within 6 months
The employer must establish a valid baseline audiogram within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level. Where a mobile test van is used, OSHA allows the baseline within 1 year, and employees must wear hearing protectors for any period beyond 6 months after first exposure until the baseline is obtained.
29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)
An annual audiogram after that
After the baseline, each exposed employee needs a new audiogram at least once a year. Each annual audiogram is compared to the baseline to look for a standard threshold shift.
29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6)
A standard threshold shift is an average change of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear compared to the baseline. Some shifts are also recordable on the OSHA injury and illness log under 29 CFR 1904.10. The audiologist review is where those determinations are made.
29 CFR 1910.95(g)(10), 29 CFR 1904.10
What the audiometric test includes
OSHA specifies pure-tone, air-conduction hearing threshold tests. At a minimum the test covers 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz, and each ear is tested separately. Testing to establish a baseline audiogram must be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors may be used as a substitute for that 14-hour quiet period.
29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5), (g)(7)
Why test on site instead of at a clinic
A clinic visit means scheduling each worker separately and sending them off site. On-site testing puts the whole group through in one visit, planned around your shifts. Employees spend a few minutes away from their stations instead of a trip across town, and you keep one consistent set of test conditions, equipment, and records for the entire workforce.
What you get after the test
Audiograms
Baseline and annual audiograms for every employee tested.
STS analysis
Standard threshold shift determinations on every annual audiogram, flagged and documented.
Audiologist review
A licensed audiologist makes the workplace determinations. A baseline changes only when the audiologist directs it.
Records
Audiograms and results organized for you, ready to hand over to an inspector.
OSHA requires employers to keep audiometric test records for the duration of the affected employee's employment. Foster organizes the results so they are ready when you need them.
29 CFR 1910.95(m)
Industries we test
Occupational hearing testing applies wherever employee noise exposure reaches the action level. Typical settings include:
- ✓Manufacturing and metal fabrication
- ✓Construction and heavy civil
- ✓Mining and quarrying
- ✓Food processing
- ✓Warehousing and logistics
- ✓Printing and packaging
- ✓Automotive and plastics
- ✓Agriculture
Where we test
Foster is based in Cincinnati and tests nationwide. We are regularly on the road across OH, KY, IN, WV, IL, PA, MI, and TN. Choose your area for local details.
Pricing
Pricing is set by headcount, number of shifts, and distance to your facility. Enter those details in the online hearing testing quote and Foster sends a clear quote by email. Prefer to talk? Call 513-891-0868.
Need more than testing? The OSHA hearing conservation program managed by Foster adds the written program, employee notifications, and follow-up tracking to the audiograms. Running testing in-house instead? See audiometer calibration.
Mobile hearing testing questions
What is mobile hearing testing?
Mobile hearing testing brings the audiometric test to your workplace. CAOHC-certified technicians test employees at your facility in our mobile unit or in a quiet room you provide, so employees do not have to travel to a clinic.
Who needs OSHA hearing tests?
Employees whose noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA are included in the audiometric testing program under 29 CFR 1910.95. Employers are held to that standard and choose their own testing vendor.
When does the baseline audiogram have to be done?
Within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level. When a mobile test van is used, the baseline may be obtained within 1 year, and employees must wear hearing protectors for any period beyond 6 months after first exposure until the baseline is obtained.
How often do employees need a hearing test?
At least once a year after the baseline audiogram. Each annual audiogram is compared to the baseline to check for a standard threshold shift.
How many employees can you test per hour?
Up to 25 per hour in the mobile unit at a steady pace, or up to 40 per hour in a quiet-room setup using four audiometers. Both options are available nationwide.
Do you test in a conference room?
Yes, if the room is quiet enough for valid audiometric testing. We confirm the room before we schedule the visit.
Who reviews the audiograms?
A licensed audiologist reviews the results and makes the workplace determinations. Standard threshold shifts are analyzed and documented on every annual audiogram.
How do I get a price?
Use the online quote calculator with your employee count, shifts, and ZIP code, or call 513-891-0868. Pricing depends on headcount, shifts, and distance to your facility.
Get your mobile hearing testing quote
Headcount, shifts, and ZIP code are all we need to start.