How often must noise-exposed workers have hearing tests?

40 minutes ago

4 min read

Two factory workers talking as they walk through a large production hall

Short answer: every 12 months for most noise-exposed workers, and every 6 months at or above 105 dBA or 135 dBC. Under the Code of Practice for Audiometry, each worker also needs a baseline test when they start and an exit test when they leave.

Regulation 9 of the Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 (Government Notice 5953, Government Gazette 52226, 6 March 2025) requires audiometry to be done according to the Code of Practice for Audiometry, published in the same Gazette. The regulations took effect on publication and replaced the Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations, 2003, which were repealed on 6 September 2026. The Department has stressed that audiometric testing must now follow the Code, not SANS 10083.

Who must be tested

Regulation 9(6) requires audiometry for every employee who may be exposed at or above 85 dBA or 137 dBC, or at or above 82 dBA or 135 dBC with concomitant exposure to ototoxic chemical agents and/or whole-body vibration, and for vulnerable employees. The Code covers everyone employed, or to be employed, in a noise zone, and vulnerable employees.

The test schedule

Baseline: before or within 30 days of employment. It takes two audiogrammes on the same day, in two different sittings, "after at least 16-hours free from any noise exposure without the use of HPDs", agreeing within 10 dB at each frequency from 500 to 4 000 Hz.
Entry: for a new employee who also met the testing criteria at a previous employer.
Initial: for employees in the programme without a valid baseline or entry test, due within 18 months of the regulations' publication, a period that ended on 6 September 2026.
Periodic: every 12 months for exposures from 85 dBA to below 105 dBA (from 82 dBA with concomitant ototoxic chemical or whole-body vibration exposure), and every 6 months at or above 105 dBA or 135 dBC, or more often if the occupational health practitioner recommends it on clinical evidence.
Exit: within 30 days before or after the end of employment in a noise zone. A valid test in the 6 months before termination counts. The employee must receive copies of their baseline and exit tests.

Where an employee's standard threshold shift has not exceeded 25 dB over 3 years, an occupational medicine practitioner may extend the periodic interval from 12 to 24 months, or from 6 to 12 months for exposures at or above 105 dBA.

Don't confuse these intervals with regulation 9(4), which caps periodic medical screening, not hearing tests, at 24 months.

Who may test, and what makes a result valid

Screening audiometry: an ENT specialist, speech therapist or audiologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, or a holder of a valid Occupational Audiometric Screener certificate who is registered with an organisation recognised by the Chief Inspector. Diagnostic audiometry needs an ENT specialist or audiologist.
Audiometer: at least a type 4 audiometer for screening, with electro-acoustic calibration at intervals not exceeding 12 months, biological calibration weekly and a daily check on test days.
Test room: the acoustic environment must be certified to SANS 10182 before first use and at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

When a test shows a shift

The Code compares each test with the employee's audiometric zero, the average hearing threshold at 2 000, 3 000 and 4 000 Hz calculated from the baseline. A standard threshold shift (STS) is an average change of 10 dB or more at those frequencies. Section 13 sets the response:

STS of 10 dB to less than 25 dB: the occupational health practitioner determines the type of hearing loss and whether it is work-related, and sets the retest frequency. The employer must investigate whether controls, including hearing protection, are effective and correctly used, and set retraining.
STS of 25 dB or more: referral to the occupational medicine practitioner and for diagnostic audiology. If a work-related shift is confirmed, the practitioner certifies whether the employee may continue in a noise zone and reports it to the Chief Inspector.
Percentage loss of hearing (PLH) shift of 10% or more from baseline: referral and diagnostic audiology follow. If confirmed, the employer must also investigate and report the case to the Compensation Commissioner. Clause 12.7 says "greater than 10%", so referring from 10% meets both.

Records

Regulation 14 requires medical screening and surveillance records to be kept for 40 years, and made available to others only with the employee's formal written consent. The Code adds records of all audiometry, of the reliability and validity criteria, and of investigations into STS and PLH shifts.

A quick self-check

Compare the people who work in noise zones with your audiometry register.
Check each person's last test date against the 12- or 6-month interval that applies.
Check that new starters were tested within 30 days, and leavers had exit tests.
Confirm that employees without a valid baseline had an initial test by 6 September 2026.
Ask your provider for the tester's qualification and the audiometer and test room certificates.
Check that every threshold shift has a documented investigation.

How Qualitas can help

Qualitas Occupational Consulting is a Department of Employment and Labour Approved Inspection Authority and a SANAS-accredited (ISO/IEC 17020) inspection body for asbestos, lead, noise and hazardous chemical agents. The testing interval depends on measured exposure. Our noise surveys measure 8-hour rating levels and peak levels per area and task, so your occupational health provider can place each employee in the right testing band.

Not sure what your site needs? Start with our free Compliance Gap Analysis, request a quote, or call or WhatsApp 082 649 6599.

This article summarises the Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 and the Code of Practice for Audiometry (Government Notice 5953, Government Gazette 52226, 6 March 2025) for general guidance. It is not legal advice; refer to the regulations and the Code for the full requirements.

Christo de Wet is a SAIOH-registered occupational hygienist with 15 years' experience and the founder of Qualitas Occupational Consulting.