3 Reasons Your Employees Need An Annual Hearing Test

Karl.B • June 7, 2019

Dangerous levels of noise in workplace environments is a growing issue in our country. The US Labor Department estimates that there are 22 million workers every year who are exposed to excessive noise in the workplace. In addition, employers in the United States have had to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation from employees with hearing loss.

After hypertension and arthritis, hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition among adults in the United States. And you may think that this only affects older workers, but 60% of those with hearing loss are actually under the age of retirement. And 20 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 19 are already showing signs of hearing loss, meaning that the workplace is likely to see more cases of employees with trouble hearing.

As hearing loss becomes more widespread, employers must understand what they can do to ensure that more employees do not lose their hearing at work. A good first step is an annual hearing test for your employees. Here are three key reasons why this is a good idea for both your business and your workers.

1. Good hearing leads to higher productivity

Almost no employer out there will turn down the chance to have a more productive workforce. But the fact is that by neglecting the hearing health of their workers, employers are risking more than the wellbeing of certain members of staff. They could also risk lowering productivity.

Being able to hear and understand one’s colleagues is essential for efficient employee communication. Maintenance of your employee’s hearing and listening abilities allow employees to understand instructions for work, making it more likely that your employees get more done. Misunderstandings however, can lead to job errors, missed deadlines and inadequate customer service.

2. Good hearing leads to a lower risk of accidents

The more developed your hearing loss is, the bigger the risk is that you will experience a workplace accident. This risk rises significantly if you already work in a noisy environment. It’s possible that you might miss a crucial piece of security information during work at a construction site which could lead to serious consequences. Hearing loss can also conceal sounds which alert you to danger, such as the warning sounds of reversing vehicles. The cognitive effort involved in distinguishing sounds when battling hearing loss also makes you more vulnerable to workplace errors.

By maintaining the hearing of your workers will help ensure a clean safety record at work, maintaining the reputation of your company and reducing the chances of any lawsuits resulting from accidents at work.

3. Good hearing boosts earning power and lowers unemployment rates

Hearing loss can make your employees earn less money. The link between untreated hearing loss and lower wages were explored in a 2012 paper published in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology journal. The paper concluded that people who have hearing loss earn significantly lower pay than people with normal hearing. A separate conclusion found that those with hearing loss are also more likely to be out of work.

By taking an active interest in the hearing health of your employees, you are more likely to keep your best staff motivated and help them to improve and maintain their skills and experience. This helps them become valuable, high-performing members of your team.

Your other responsibilities

There are also things that you can or need to do that will hopefully reduce the rate of hearing loss at your workplace.

OSHA regulations require employers to provide hearing tests and hearing protection for those who are exposed to loud noise for eight hours a day or more. For construction workers, the limit is 90 decibels for an exposure of eight hours.

You can also promote awareness and education of hearing safety among your workers. Employees sometimes don’t want to use hearing protection when on the job because they don’t realize the risks–particularly if they don’t use loud machines. By reminding your employees that listening damage occurs from combined noise exposure (rather than simply short bursts of loud noise), you help them become aware and protect themselves against the risks that they face on the job every day.

Anadyne

At Anadyne, we help companies like yours test hearing and provide hearing protection to their employees. For more information about how we can protect the hearing of your workers, contact us today.

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Is Your Respirator Program Still Compliant in 2026?

By Mary Jane Bumanglag • May 30, 2026

In many workplaces, respirators are considered the last line of defense against airborne hazards. But even the best respirator won’t protect workers if the program behind it is outdated, incomplete, or inconsistently followed. As industries continue to prioritize workplace safety, 2026 is the right time for companies to take a closer look at their respirator protection programs — not because regulations suddenly changed overnight, but because compliance alone does not always guarantee protection. At Anadyne, we believe employers should move beyond “checking the box” and focus on creating programs that genuinely keep workers safe every day on the job. Why Companies Should Review Their Respirator Program Now Many organizations assume that if they passed an inspection or completed fit testing a few years ago, their program is still effective today. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A respirator protection program can gradually become outdated due to: Employee turnover Changes in job tasks or exposure risks Improper respirator storage and maintenance Weight fluctuations affecting fit Inconsistent training practices Missing documentation Delayed medical evaluations or fit testing The reality is this: a company can technically remain compliant with minimum requirements and still experience workplace injuries or respiratory exposure incidents. That’s why regular program reviews matter. Compliance Is Only the Beginning Respiratory protection standards are designed to establish minimum safety requirements. However, truly effective programs go further by ensuring workers consistently use and maintain their equipment properly between evaluations and fit tests. A worker may pass a fit test today, but what happens afterward? Are they: Shaving regularly to maintain a proper seal? Replacing filters when needed? Inspecting respirators for damaged seals? Properly storing equipment in sealed bags between jobs? Reporting major physical changes that may affect fit? These day-to-day behaviors determine whether respiratory protection actually works in real-world conditions. What a Complete Respirator Protection Program Should Include An effective respirator protection program should contain several critical components working together. 1. Fit Testing Fit testing confirms that the respirator forms a proper seal on the employee’s face. (objective testing is recommended to rule out known inconsistencies with subjective 'irritant smoke' methods) Even small facial changes, damaged equipment, or improper sizing can compromise protection. 2. Training & Education Training should go beyond simply teaching employees how to wear a respirator. Effective training helps workers understand: Why respiratory protection matters How improper use increases risk How to inspect equipment properly When to replace filters or cartridges Proper cleaning and storage procedures When to report issues or request reassessment The goal is not just passing a test, it’s ensuring workers remain protected every day between tests. 3. Documentation & Written Program Review Proper documentation is essential for both compliance and operational consistency. A written respirator protection program should clearly outline procedures, responsibilities, equipment protocols, training schedules, evaluation records, and emergency processes. Without regular review, written programs can quickly become outdated or disconnected from actual workplace practices. Don’t Wait Until There’s a Problem Delaying a respirator program review is similar to avoiding a routine medical check-up. If concerns already exist, waiting longer often increases the risk of larger problems later. The good news is that most companies can address issues proactively before they become serious safety incidents, compliance violations, or costly disruptions. A review today can help identify gaps early, while solutions are still manageable. How Anadyne Can Help In 2026, Anadyne is proud to expand its respiratory protection services to help companies strengthen workplace safety programs with confidence. Whether you need: Respirator fit testing Program evaluations Training support Written program reviews Guidance on best practices Our team is ready to help you build a program that supports both compliance and worker protection. Schedule a Respirator Program Review Protecting your workforce starts with understanding where your current program stands. Book a consultation with Anadyne today and take the next step toward a safer, stronger respirator protection program.