Orientation to Audiometric Surveillance – WA (1-day program)
$880.00 inc. GST
This one-day workshop provides an orientation to the surveillance audiometry requirements described in the Western Australia’s new Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations (2022) and related guidance documents.
Surveillance (or monitoring) audiometry involves conducting periodic testing with the aim of identifying changes in hearing and taking appropriate action. From March 2022, the new WHS regulations will require companies in all industries to conduct periodic audiometric testing at least every 2 years for noise-exposed employees. This new law will require new ways of testing, planning and managing results that are quite different to the existing WorkCover WA audiometry requirements familiar to many testers and practices.
Since 2019 surveillance audiometry has been required by the WA Dept of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). From March 2022 this requirement will expand significantly to include all high noise industries under Work Health and Safety regulation 58 (Audiometric testing).
The Orientation to Audiometric Surveillance workshop provides up to date information about the new law and how to integrate into your practice. Topics include the principles of audiometric surveillance, legislative requirements, contents of the key guidance documents, audiogram comparison protocols, comparison with WorkCover WA audiometry requirements and considerations for practices when implementing the changes.
This course is designed for health assessment practice managers/coordinators, health and safety advisors, and anyone else involved in the planning and delivery of audiometric testing in high noise industries.
Note: If you’re a current WorkCover WA Approved Audiometric Officer (AAO) and want to achieve testing compliance with the new regulations, please see our new 2-day course: Advanced Audiometric Surveillance. The Orientation to Audiometric Surveillance workshop (described on this page) does not include the content, clinical practice or assessment of competence required for testers to achieve competence/compliance with the new requirements.
Course Dates
Course Information
Course duration and times
This 1-day program runs from 9.00am – 4.00pm.
Note: We can also present in-company for organisations with a small group of personnel requiring training. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
Course aims and outcomes
The Orientation to Audiometric Surveillance workshop provides valuable information about the Work Health and Safety regulation 58, the new law relating to conducting audiometric monitor tests in high noise industries WA.
Participants will be presented with an overview of audiometric surveillance principles, description of industry/government requirements, overview of the audiogram comparison protocols and considerations for integrating the changes into audiometry practices.
Participants will receive hands-on practice in applying audiogram comparison protocols and explore the clinical and practical considerations involved in comparing audiograms and taking action when identifying changes in hearing.
Who would benefit from attending this course?
The workshop will be valuable to individuals within companies generating high levels of noise, or health practitioners providing services to high noise industries.
The information is relevant to those in roles including:
- Service delivery and policy managers in high noise industries
- Doctors or others overseeing audiometric testing services and patient management
- Health and safety personnel required to oversee and implement audiometric testing services
- Government regulators/inspectors with responsibility for health surveillance protocols and compliance
- Occupational Hygienists with responsibility for audiometry service planning and delivery
Note: If you’re a current WorkCover WA Approved Audiometric Officer (AAO) and want to achieve testing compliance with the new regulations, please see our new 2-day course: Advanced Audiometric Surveillance. The Advanced Audiometric Surveillance course included the content, clinical practice or assessment of competence required for testers to achieve competence/compliance with the new law and associated requirements.
Course pre-requisites
There are no formal pre-requisites for attending this workshop and no pre-course preparation.
Course certificate
Course attendees will receive an Attendance Certificate from The Hearing Company, Australia’s leading occupational audiometry course provider.
About the presenter
The course presenter is Glenn Johnson, an Occupational Audiologist (hearing specialist) with over 20 years’ experience in clinical practice, hearing rehabilitation, teaching, management and consulting. Glenn is Director and Principal Audiologist of The Hearing Company, and during the last 15 years has designed and delivered training in occupational audiometry to over 1,000 students throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Feedback from students attending the Orientation to Audiometric Surveillance workshop
“A well facilitated workshop, delivered by a knowledgeable presenter with a high level of subject matter expertise. Flexible delivery, with the opportunity to ask questions relevant to my company.” Scott, Manager People Risk and Safety, Telfer Gold Mine, WA
“A faultless course! Great materials as always from The Hearing Company, with everything we’ll need to plan our services. Glenn is a great presenter. The information was relevant to the upcoming changes in legislation and delivered in a relaxed and friendly manner.” Lisa, Occupational Health Nurse, Red Earth Health Solutions, WA
“Great workshop, with useful and relevant materials provided. Very informative presentation by Glenn, who’s a very knowledgeable and entertaining speaker.” Tahnee, Nurse Manager, Brecken Health, WA
Other information
Please contact Lynne Miles, Course Manager, with any questions or to discuss the suitability of this course for your requirements: 0478 776 039 or [email protected].
Course Content
Tuition and course inclusions
We supply handouts of key information and practical exercises.
An electronic Attendance Certificate will be emailed to attendees following the workshop.
Course topics
Overview and requirements
- Audiometry surveillance basics and terminology
- Noise and other hazards that cause hearing loss
- Audiometry legislation and requirements in WA (existing and future)
- Australian Standards and Codes of Practice
- Introduction to measuring “hearing shift”
- Company requirements following hearing “shift”
- AS/NZS1269.4 and OSHA hearing shift protocols
- Percentage loss of hearing
- Audiogram comparison protocols
- Can a WorkCover WA hearing test be used for audiometric surveillance?
- Clinical and other factors affecting test accuracy and audiogram comparison
Download the OSA workshop brochure for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the course provide compliance with Australian Standard AS/NZS1269.4?
No, this is an introductory course only. With limited time and content, the workshop content doesn’t achieve full compliance with the rigorous specifications described in Australian Standard 1269.4, Work Health & Safety Regulations or WorkCover WA regulations.
For WorkCover WA-compliant training please see The Hearing Company’s comprehensive 5-day Audiometric Officer Course.
For compliance with Australian Standard AS/NZS1269.4 and state/territory legislation outside WA, please see our 4-day Occupational Audiometry Course.
What is the cancellation policy?
The following fees are payable should a participant withdraw from the course:
- Following registration: 10% of full course fee
- Within 2 weeks of the starting date: 50% of full course fee
- Within 1 week of the starting date: 100% of full course fee
Can a registration be transferred to a colleague?
Yes, we accept transfers to another person but only within the same course. Deferring a registration to another course (different dates) is regarded as a cancellation. See previous section.
Is there a course certificate?
Yes, students who attend the workshop will be issued with an Attendance Certificate describing the workshop content.
Can I claim Professional Development points for this course?
Yes, the Orientation to Audiometric Surveillance workshop provides up to 7 hours of tuition, which can be claimed towards CPD requirements.
Do you offer this course at a public venue?
Yes. We will conduct public courses in Perth or Kalgoorlie depending on demand.
We can also conduct in-company courses for organisations with multiple employees to be trained. This can work out as a cost-effective and efficient way to upskill a team.
Where are the courses conducted?
Public courses in Perth are usually conducted at The Boulevard in Floreat. Public courses in Kalgoorlie will be conducted at a conference venue in the city.
Onsite courses are also conducted at company premises. Our equipment and teaching personnel are completely portable.
Is this course approved for conducting NSW Coal Industry Order 43 assessments?
No, this course is not approved by Coal Services for training nurses to conduct NSW Coal Industry Order 43 health surveillance audiometric tests.
Coal Services has approved our comprehensive 4-day Occupational Audiometry Course and 2-day Intermediate Audiometry Workshop.
What other courses do you offer?
We offer a range of courses focussed on conducting occupational audiometry. These include a half-day workshop on fitting insert earphones (which offer superior external noise reduction) through to 2-day and 4-day courses which offer varying degrees of compliance with workplace audiometry legislation, Australian Standards and industry best practice.
See our range of courses here.
