Induction Hearing Testing for Your Workplace
Induction hearing tests establish a baseline record of each new starter's hearing before noise exposure begins.
It supports the employer's responsibility to identify pre-existing hearing conditions and establish a reference point for future health surveillance under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. This protects both the worker and the business from disputed compensation claims.
What This Test Tells You
Induction hearing testing captures each new starter's hearing thresholds before they begin noise-exposed work, creating a documented baseline that becomes the reference point for all future health surveillance.
For each person tested you get:
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A baseline audiogram recorded at the point of employment, establishing their hearing status before any workplace noise exposure occurs
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Early identification of pre-existing hearing loss that may have been caused by previous employment, lifestyle factors, or medical conditions that may not be in health records.
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A defensible record protecting the business from compensation claims for hearing damage that predates employment
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A reference point for Regulation 9 health surveillance, allowing future tests to detect any work-related changes in hearing over time
This turns new starter onboarding into a documented hearing health checkpoint - protecting your workers and your business from day one.
Who This Test Is For
This test is for new starters joining roles where noise exposure is likely to reach or exceed the lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A).
It is appropriate for any employee entering a noise-exposed role for the first time, or transferring from a position where hearing surveillance was not previously required.
It also applies to workers returning after extended absence where a new baseline may be needed, and contractors or agency staff who will be regularly exposed to workplace noise.
Legal Obligation
Under Regulation 9 of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employers must place employees at risk from noise exposure under suitable health surveillance, including hearing tests.
Capturing a baseline audiogram at the point of employment establishes the reference against which all future surveillance is measured.
This protects both the employee and the employer - identifying pre-existing conditions before workplace exposure begins, and providing documented evidence if hearing changes are later detected.
How We Differ
(In a good way)
Traditional Induction Hearing Tests
What the test tells you
Traditional induction audiometry uses a calibrated audiometer in a sound booth or quiet room to measure hearing thresholds. Results are recorded as an audiogram showing the quietest sounds a person can detect at each frequency.
How it operates on site
Testing requires a calibrated audiometer, sound booth or noise-attenuating enclosure, and a trained operator. Sessions are scheduled during day shifts, with workers attending a dedicated testing location. Equipment is typically brought to site per visit or hired.
Throughput and planning
Each test takes 10-20 minutes. Scheduling constraints, equipment setup, and operator availability limit daily capacity. Testing across night shifts or rotating patterns requires additional arrangements.
Cost considerations
Costs include equipment hire (£3,000-£15,000+), annual calibration, operator training, and per-session charges. Day rates of £1,000-£1,500 are common for on-site visits.
What you can verify
A baseline audiogram recorded at the point of employment. Results depend on operator skill, equipment calibration, and testing environment.
Hear 4 The Long Term's Induction Hearing Tests
What the test tells you
H4TLT induction hearing tests capture each new starter's hearing thresholds before workplace noise exposure begins. Using a pre-calibrated headset and secure web platform, results are recorded and reviewed by a registered audiologist to establish a documented baseline for future health surveillance.
How it operates on site
The H4TLT headset is loaned directly to your site as part of the service and can be used 24/7 - no equipment hire, no separate charges
Throughput and planning
New starters complete their baseline hearing test as part of standard onboarding - no batch scheduling, no waiting for the next available van slot, no pulling workers off the floor to meet a visiting technician. The loan period for your equipment is based on your testing volume, giving you flexibility to test at your own pace.
Cost considerations
Testing is priced per worker with volume discounts available. Equipment is loaned as part of the service at no additional cost - no day rates, no travel charges, no calibration fees, no equipment hire. You pay for tests, not logistics.
What you can verify
A documented baseline audiogram for every new starter, reviewed by a registered audiologist. This creates a defensible health record from day one - protecting your workers and your business against future compensation claims for pre-existing hearing conditions.
How It All Works
Check Your Compliance
Use our free compliance checker to confirm whether your operation requires baseline hearing tests under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Takes around three minutes.
Kit Arrives On-Site
Your pre-calibrated H4TLT headset arrives ready to use. It connects via USB to any computer, no specialist equipment or training required.
Worker Completes Test
The worker accesses your company's personalised test URL, confirms their details, and follows the on-screen instructions to complete a self-guided pure-tone audiometry test. No audiologist required.
Baseline Audiogram Recorded
The test produces an audiogram showing hearing thresholds across the frequency range. This becomes the worker's baseline record for future comparison under health surveillance.
Employee hearing health record
All results are stored and provide a robust defence in the event of a future claim.
Does your workplace require induction hearing tests?
Find out in minutes.
The compliance checker reviews your obligations under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, including baseline audiometry for new starters entering noise-exposed roles. It takes only a few minutes and gives you a clear indication of where you stand.
Not Sure Which Test You Need?
Our free quick compliance check identifies exactly what testing your workplace requires. Results display straight away - no waiting, no email sign-up, no sales pressure.
Just clear guidance to help you keep your workers safe.
All responses are confidential and never shared outside H4TLT.
Your Questions Answered
HSE guidelines state that hearing health surveillance should ideally begin before people are exposed to noise
Direct answer
Yes. H4TLT induction hearing tests fit perfectly into standard onboarding, and in many workplaces they’re one of the easiest parts of the process to integrate.
Because induction hearing tests are short, self guided, and designed to establish a baseline before noise exposure, they align directly with what the HSE expects for new starters.
Supporting detail
HSE guidelines state that hearing health surveillance should ideally begin before people are exposed to noise, which makes onboarding the ideal moment to run the baseline test.
Bringing it into induction ensures compliance from day one, a clean baseline for future comparisons and no gaps in your surveillance records.
H4TLT induction tests typically take around 10 minutes, so they slot easily into day one inductions, pre employment checks, site access training and contractor onboarding, There’s no need for a clinical appointment or a long audiology session.
The H4TLT baseline test system is designed for self fit, self guided testing so HR or H&S teams don’t need audiometry training, workers can complete the test independently and you avoid bottlenecks and scheduling issues. This makes it ideal for high turnover or multi shift environments.
HSE relevance
H4TLT induction hearing tests can be built directly into your standard onboarding, and doing so is actually the best practice, HSE aligned approach. It enables you to conduct compliant baseline testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is simple to use and cost effective, It automates the process to required British Standards so no audiologist is required and stores test records help to enable you to satisfy HSE record keeping requirements and provide a robust defence in the event of a compensation claim. Use our Compliance Checker to see what you need to do and get an exact quote.
Agency workers and contractors must receive the same baseline and annual hearing tests as permanent employees
Direct answer
Yes. Agency workers and contractors must receive the same Induction (Baseline Hearing Test) and annual hearing tests as permanent employees if they are exposed to hazardous noise while working for you. HSE guidance makes it clear that health surveillance applies to anyone exposed to noise risks, regardless of employment status.
Supporting detail
The Noise at Work Regulations apply to agency workers, contractors, temporary staff, self employed workers working under your control as well as permanent employees. If they are exposed to noise above the Lower Exposure Action Value (80 dB(A)), they must be included in your hearing surveillance programme.
Baseline hearing tests (induction) and ongoing hearing health surveillance are required for new agency workers, contractors starting noisy work and anyone entering a role with hazardous noise.
The HSE’s rule is the employer who controls the work environment is responsible for health surveillance. So if the noise exposure happens on your site, you must ensure the tests are provided even if the worker is paid by an agency. Agencies may assist, but the legal duty sits with the host employer.
Including agency workers and contractors protects you by demonstrating compliance, preventing NIHL, reducing legal exposure and ensuring PPE is suitable and effective,
Excluding agency workers and contractors creates a compliance gap that HSE and insurers take very seriously.
H4TLT relevance
The H4TLT self-serve system assists you to deliver baseline hearing tests, annual hearing tests and medical referrals where and when needed more conveniently and cost effectively than traditional suppliers since tests can be completed with no audiologist required.
Are workplace hearing tests a legal requirement?
Direct answer
Baseline hearing tests are one of the strongest legal protections a business can have against Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) compensation claims. As well as helping to detect hearing issues early they also give you the evidence you need to show that any later hearing loss did not originate in your workplace.
Supporting detail
A baseline test records the employee’s hearing status at the moment they join your business which matters because many workers already have hearing loss from previous jobs, some have age related loss and some have medical conditions that affect hearing. Without a baseline, you cannot show whether the loss existed before they started. With a baseline, you can which is a big factor in defending NIHL claims.
Annual or periodic tests are compared against the baseline. If the worker’s hearing deteriorated only slightly you can argue it may be age related and if it deteriorated significantly you can show what controls were in place. The baseline is the anchor point that makes all future comparisons meaningful.
A proper baseline test gives you a dated audiogram and evidence of early intervention if needed. This helps with insurers because it shows you acted responsibly from day one.
H4TLT relevance
HSE expects health surveillance to begin before exposure. If you follow this you meet your legal duties, demonstrate proactive risk management and reduce your liability exposure. Claims often fail simply because the employer can show they followed the rules.
The H4TLT baseline hearing test is one of the most cost effective risk reduction tools you can implement.
Use our Compliance Checker to see what you need to do and get an exact quote.
An important piece of evidence for defending a Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) claim
Direct answer
A missing baseline hearing test makes things much harder for an employer but it doesn’t automatically mean you’re liable. It does mean you don’t have the single most important piece of evidence for defending a Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) claim. HSE guidance on surveillance states baseline testing should ideally begin before exposure so you can detect changes over time. Without that starting point, you can’t show whether the loss happened before or during employment.
Supporting detail
Without a baseline you cannot show the worker’s hearing status when they started, you cannot demonstrate whether deterioration happened under your control and you cannot rule out pre existing hearing loss This weakens your defence significantly.
You can still defend the claim using noise exposure records, PPE records, Fit testing evidence, Training logs, Health and safety documentation, Witness statements and engineering control history but without a baseline, you’re relying on circumstantial evidence rather than medical comparison.
H4TLT relevance
H4TLT enables you to conduct compliant baseline testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is simple to use and cost effective, The system automates the process to required British Standards so no audiologist is required and each test is instantly categorised with cat 3 or 4 referrals made by a competent professional. Test records help to enable you to satisfy HSE record keeping requirements and provide a robust defence in the event of a compensation claim. Use our Compliance Checker to see what you need to do and get an exact quote.
The baseline audiogram provides a reference point can protect your business against false claims
Direct answer
Hearing tests are required for all employees exposed to excessive noise at work. You should carry out a baseline test within six months of employment, annual testing for the next two years thereafter and then every three years if the employees hearing remains stable.
Supporting detail
The baseline audiogram provides a reference point for future comparisons and the annual test data is used to identify early signs of noise induced hearing loss and measure the effectiveness of your noise control strategy. If the employee shows deterioration in hearing, they report symptoms such as tinnitus or difficulty hearing or the noise level increases and you haven’t fit tested the hearing protection then testing should be stepped up to once every six months.
H4TLT Relevance
H4TLT offers a self-service model which ensures you can comply with these requirements with the minimum of downtime and at a fraction of the cost of getting somebody in to carry out the tests. Baseline testing can be carried out at induction in less than ten minutes and annual testing can be carried out with no audiologist present whenever suits you. In addition our fit test ensures hearing protection effectiveness and may save you having to test every six months.