Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Click each FAQ to see the response
Technical
What are WorkScreen Specifications?
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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.
Commercial
How Much does WorkScreen Cost?
There are a couple of things to get straight before we start:
Using
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.
Who can use WorkScreen?
Pretty much anyone.
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.
About
Regulations
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.
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Regular hearing tests -
Appropriate training and information

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.
Essential info
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.
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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.