Why Does Your New Employer Want You to Have a Hearing Test?
Posted on: 8 August 2019
While you expected your new employer to check you out before they take you on, you may have been surprised to hear that they want you to have a hearing test as part of this process. Why do you need to have your hearing checked out before you can start your new job?
Some Jobs Legally Require Hearing Tests
In some cases, an employer may request a hearing test because of a statutory obligation. For example, if you need to wear hearing protectors during your work, you may need to have a hearing screen before you start work and at regular intervals while you're on the job.
This testing is for your benefit. Your initial test measures your current hearing; follow-up tests check that the noise you're exposed to at work isn't causing any damage.
Your Job May Require Good Hearing
Even if your employer doesn't have to have your hearing tested, some prefer to do so. Your employer may want to check that your hearing is at a good enough standard to do your job safely.
For example, if you're going to be working in a busy warehouse environment, then it is important that you can clearly hear certain sounds like vehicle engines, reversing alerts and warnings given by other workers.
If your hearing is impaired, then you may not be as alert to danger as you need to be. This doesn't necessarily mean that you won't get the job; it may just tell your employer that you may need extra help.
Your Employer Wants a Baseline Hearing Assessment
If you'll spend time working in a noisy environment, then your employer may want to measure your hearing ability before you start work. They want to know if you have any pre-existing hearing problems. If you do, they want these on record.
This information may be useful to the company in the event you develop significant hearing problems down the line. If you were to take legal action against the company for your loss of hearing, then they would have an accurate measurement of your hearing from the date you started work for comparisons.
You may need to plan ahead for a pre-employment hearing screening. For example, you may be asked to be in quiet environments for a number of hours before the test. This ensures that your hearing is in its best condition and isn't temporarily affected by work or social noises. To find out more, contact your hearing test clinic.
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