What are WorkScreen Specifications?

The WorkScreen system comprises the calibrated WorkScreen screener handset which is used to access the WorkScreen hearing screening test.

• Calibrated hearing screener to BS 60645-1
• Screening test follows BS EN ISO 8253-1
• 250Hz - 8kHz range
• Instant HSE hearing categorisation & report
• 100dB max output
• User history questionnaire
• Instant HSE hearing categorisation & report
• Full audit trail for every test
• Optional user database
• Secure data storage in UK
• Patented, UK technology
• Validated by UK university

Is it Possible to Cheat WorkScreen Hearing Tests?

WorkScreen automatically detects and reports false results. It does this by detecting when certain randomised test parameters are violated and aborting the test. Aborting triggers a review of your test, followed by a retest or referral, which means that there is no benefit to cheating the test.

How Much does WorkScreen Cost?

There are a couple of things to get straight before we start: Rental:Generally, we price our work per test - this is because WorkScreen provides a hearing test service, much like a traditional mobile hearing test service (but more flexible and lower cost). The WorkScreen handset that you see on our website is a necessary component required to deliver hearing tests, so you are not buying a piece of technical hardware, with all of the integration and training issues. So the WorkScreen handset is not "just" an audiometer - an audiometer requires a specially trained operator. As a user-operated test, WorkScreen is different - we think of it as an "audiometer PLUS". We have a standard pricelist that (fairly obviously) changes with the number of tests conducted. More tests = lower cost per test. For most customers, the only extra cost is shipping the handset to you and collecting it from you. Exceptionally, you may select other services, but that is your choice. For a quote or to explore your needs, please contact us. "Purchase": Some clients like the idea of buying WorkScreen. Often rental is actually less hassle and is easier, anc can be backed up with a contract. Other clients need the flexibility of keeping a WorkScreen handset on site (e.g. many new starters to baseline hearing). Again, the key ingredient is the number of staff, as well as the number of handsets required. Once we have established this - however loosely - we can agree how to licence our system to you. The handset forms part of this licence. For a quote or to explore your needs, please contact us.

Can I Use WorkScreen for General Hearing Tests?

WorkScreen produces a highy accurate Air Conduction ("AC") screening audiogram. However, the test and report are designed to check for Noise Induced Hearing Loss. Occupational testing is different from a “clinical” hearing test and report that you may receive from a doctor or audiologist. A WorkScreen test is therefore NOT appropriate for prescribing hearing aids or other hearing related services without further assessment.

Is WorkScreen compatible with Otoscopy?

Yes. The employer/designated person in charge of hearing tests at work may make provision for otoscopy in line with their policies or surveillance system, in addition to the WorkScreen test. Contact us if you'd like us to provide this service.

Who can use WorkScreen?

Pretty much anyone. WorkScreen is designed and automated so that anyone who can use a tablet or smartphone can conduct an effective, accurate hearing test on themselves to HSE recommended standards, meeting the relevant ISO standards. Users require no special training or skills to operate WorkScreen.

How do I clean WorkScreen?

WorkScreen is based around a tablet PC - which makes it simpler to keep clean. By doing away with the traditional "patient response button" - which the user would hold in their hand for the duration of the test - WorkScreen has removed a key site of potential cross-infection. You can download our cleaning guidelines on our FAQ page in the downloads section.

PPE and hearing protection: does this comply with the Law?

Yes and No - Hearing protecion is an essential part of managing the risk of noise at work, but on its own, hearing protection may not meet company obligations under the Noise
at Work Act. It is more than likely that staff regularly using hearing protection (earplugs etc) are exposed to dangerous noise and therefore should ALSO be provided with:

1. Regular hearing tests
2. Appropriate training and information

i.e. issuing hearing protection at work is not - on its own - enough to comply with legal requirements. The HSE does a great brief guide (snapshot below):

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What is hearing "surveillance"?

Surveillance (for the purposes of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) at work) basically means a hearing test. Note that an "HSE hearing test" from WorkScreen or other occupational health provider is not the same thing as a "clinical hearing test" from a doctor or audiologist.

The HSE definition is that surveillance is “a programme of systematic health checks to identify early signs and symptoms of work-related ill health and to allow action to be taken to prevent its progression.”(pp27) “Suitable health surveillance usually means regular hearing checks (audiometric testing).” (pp27)

• Surveillance is a system of activities and policies
• A surveillance system “requires a designated person placed in charge” (pp109)
• The audiometric testing process is one part of the surveillance programme

The pp numbers above refer to the HSE quick guide to noise at work

What is an occupational/industrial hearing test?

Occupational audiometry is a system to detect and manage Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

It is important to note occupational audiometry is a screening procedure: it identifies wether something may need investigating, but not the cause. The cause of the issue is investigated via diagnostic tests for those people who are referred onwards from screening.

The HSE says:

“Occupational audiometry is a surveillance technique used to detect early damage to hearing resulting from exposure to noise. Identifying any damage allows appropriate follow-up remedial action in the workplace and any necessary medical referral of the individual.” (pp109) “Audiometry is not, in itself, a diagnostic technique,….” (pp109)

• The objective of audiometric testing at work is to screen workers for hearing damage due to noise – NIHL.
• WorkScreen is independently assessed and calibrated as a screening device for occupational hearing tests.
• WorkScreen complies with BS 60645-1-2001 using RETSPLs from BS EN 389-8:2004 & BS EN ISO 8253-1-2010.

Who "administers" WorkScreen Hearing Tests?

WorkScreen administers every test. WorkScreen tests are administered by the qualified audiological team who designed and oversee operation of the system. Unlike traditional industrial audiometry, which is administered by an on-site technician, WorkScreen uses a fully automated test regime to conduct each test. This means every tests meets the ISO hearing screening standards required for occupational hearing tests consistently and reliably (with a full audit trail). Equally importantly, WorkScreen hearing tests cannot be influenced, controlled or adjusted from the handset by an operator or user, which means that any user can conduct a high quality, accurate hearing test, irrespective of their audiological training or experience. At the end of every test, WorkScreen produces an individual test report for the user.

What is WorkScreen?

WorkScreen is a unique hearing screening solution that uses patented UK technology to provide a user-operated hearing screening service to meet companies’ legal requirements under Noise at Work Regs.

Testing is simple, automatic, high quality, consistent and available anywhere 24/7. This means organisation is flexible, costs are reduced, testing is compliant and risks are reduced.

As a result, WorkScreen clients can reduce costs and get on with more rewarding, demanding or productive work without compromising staff care or protection.

How Do I Get WorkScreen?

• You get WorkScreen as a service, by renting a handset(s) and buying a number of tests. This tends to be best for smaller organisations. Renting is short-term, quick and easy.
• You can buy a WorkScreen handset(s) so that you always have one at hand to test your staff. This suits most large organisations who need a permanent solution.
• You can licence our technology to integrate it into your occupational health systems. This may be the most appropriate solution for organisations or healtcare providers with a lot of occupational health gear and systems in place already.

Can I Try WorkScreen?

Yes, sure. Contact us here and we'll get right back to you to get things moving.

Who Created WorkScreen?

WorkScreen has been created in the UK by team with over 100 yrs of experience in audiology and acoustics in the NHS, audiology supply and private hearing healthcare practice. Driven by a shared frustration that preventative hearing care was not keeping pace with society’s needs - or the opportunities presented by new technology, they worked to create a soltion that is effective and simple to use, so that everyone who needs a hearing test can have one. In a nutshell, while risks and opportunity for harm due to noise are probably increasing, preventative technology and awareness was not moving at its potential in the real world. So we did something about it.