Some common industrial chemicals and medications can cause hearing loss or worsen the effect of noise on hearing. These are called ototoxic substances. If they are absorbed into the blood stream, they may damage the cochlea in the inner ear.

29 cfr 1910.95

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From 29 July 2025, employers will be required to provide audiometric testing for workers who are required to use personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

Read information and advice from a wide range of sources about noise hazards and risks. This should include equipment guidelines and workers’ compensation data for your organisation and industry. Check if any of your workers have made workers’ compensation claims for hearing loss and if any hearing loss or tinnitus has been found during repeat audiometric testing.

The Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 1.57 MB) outlines effective control measures to eliminate or minimise the source of noise according to the hierarchy of risk control. According to the hierarchy you must always aim to eliminate the hazard so far as reasonably possibly. If it’s not reasonably to eliminate the hazard, you must minimise risk with one or more controls.

Audiometric testing is an important part of managing risks from noise exposure by monitoring workers’ hearing. If testing shows changes in a worker's hearing levels, you should investigate any causes and whether there’s a need for corrective action.

Health and safety representatives must have access to relevant information such as noise exposure data and potential control options. If you have a health and safety committee, you should engage the committee in the process as well.

Noise assessments should be repeated at least every five years or whenever there is a change of plant, work processes, building structure or duration of work arrangements.

From 29 July 2025, important changes will commence to protect workers from the risk of hearing loss by requiring employers to arrange regular audiometric testing. We have developed specific guidance for businesses.

From 29 July 2025, you must provide audiometric testing for workers who are required to use personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard. This testing must be provided to the worker:

The first step in the risk management process is to identify all noise sources at your place of work. This involves finding things and situations which could potentially cause harm to people. Hazards generally arise from the following aspects of work and their interaction:

The Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 1.57 MB) outlines how to identify hazardous noise, your responsibilities and practical advice on how to keep workers safe.  Noise can impact people in different ways and the potential for it to cause harm is not always obvious. Noise can affect workers by:

Learn about the Acts, Regulations and codes of practice we are responsible for and find information on workplace inspections and prosecutions.

Following a four-step risk management process will help your business meet its responsibilities under work health and safety (WHS) laws. You can read an overview of the generalfour-step process as well as noise-specific information below.

You must also consult your workers when planning changes or buying any potentially noisy machinery or equipment at your place of work.

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When sound is unwanted it is often called noise. Noise is measured in decibels and becomes hazardous when it exceeds workplace exposure standards. A business must ensure workers are not exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard. The exposure standard for noise is defined in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 as LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) or an LC,peak of 140 dB(C).

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Your rehabilitation and return to work journey will be easier if you know your options, the steps to take, and who’s responsible for what.

Noise can destroy your ability to hear clearly. It can also put you at risk by affecting your concentration or making it hard to hear the sounds you need to hear to work safely, such as instructions or warning signals.

OSHA standard

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All testing should be done by an appropriately trained and experienced person, using procedures and equipment that comply with Part 4: Auditory assessment of AS/NZS 1269: Occupational noise management.

You should regularly review your noise processes control measures to make sure they remain effective for managing your workplace risks.

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OSHA

The Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Codeof Practice 2021 (PDF, 1.57 MB) provides guidance on how to manage the risks by following a systematic process that involves:

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For more information on audiometric testing, you can download the Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 1.57 MB).

Maintaining a safe workplace is everyone’s responsibility. This section offers information and tools to help you manage risks and protect health, safety and wellbeing.

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Like all PPE, hearing protection is best when you use it along with other controls. To work properly, hearing protection must suit the wearer, suit the task, remain in good condition, be used correctly and be used consistently. See related links below for more information about how to select and use personal hearing protectors.

If you have identified any hazardous noise, assess the risks by carrying out a noise assessment, unless the exposures can be reduced to below the standard immediately.

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NoiseHealth

Please note that the requirement for employers to provide audiometric testing is subject to a transitional provision and is not currently in effect. Employers must comply with this new testing requirement from 29 July 2025. For more information, see sections 58 and 797 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

The committee was established to ensure there is an ongoing consultative forum for injured workers and families affected by a workplace death, illness or serious incident. Read more about the committee.

The noise exposure calculator helps businesses to work out a worker’s exposure to noise across a work shift. It also helps determine which exposure controls are recommended and whether audiometric testing should be done.

Acoustic incidents happen when workers are exposed to a loud noise such as a sudden loud shriek or a piercing tone through a headset. This can startle workers and possibly cause a pain in the ear. Although it is rare, some workers can experience ongoing symptoms.

Before starting an audiometric testing program, you should consult with your workers and health and safety representatives. This is so they understand why you are doing the tests and how they are part of your risk management program.

You can identify hazards by looking at your place of work and how work is carried out. Note the potential for noise to be hazardous is not always obvious. Exposure to noise is cumulative and a worker may perform a number of noisy work activities over time which, in combination, may expose the worker to hazardous noise.

As a worker, you must take reasonable care for your own health and safety and not adversely affect the health and safety of others. You must wear and correctly use personal protective equipment if it is provided. You can read more about workers' rights and responsibilities.

Consult with workers and any health and safety representatives at each step of the risk management process. By drawing on their experience, knowledge, and ideas, you’re more likely to identify all hazards and choose effective control measures.

If you don't think your employer is doing enough to protect you against hazardous noise at work, you have a right to speak up about work conditions and say no to unsafe work. You can also raise a workplace safety concern.

NoiseWHO

Workers and management can work together to reduce risks. A safe place of work benefits everyone. Read more about how you can create safe work.

Please note that the requirement for employers to provide audiometric testing is subject to a transitional provision and is not currently in effect. Employers must comply with this new testing requirement from 29 July 2025. For more information, see sections 58 and 797 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Section 4 in the Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 1.57 MB) has more information on noise assessments, including who can do them and when they need to be done.

Note: Don’t use smartphone noise measurement applications for noise assessments—they’re not accurate enough for work health and safety purposes.

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Don’t use smartphone noise measurement applications for noise assessments—they’re not accurate enough for work health and safety purposes.