KINNECT — Creating Health Certainty at Work
Menu
Health Monitoring

Hearing Fit Testing

Protect your employees’ long-term hearing and meet your workplace health obligations. We use the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System to measure exactly how much protection each worker actually gets from their hearing protector — in seconds.

Get a Quote

Compliant with ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018 and aligned to AS/NZS 1269 noise management practice.

At a glance
~2s
Per-ear quantitative test
7
Frequencies measured
10–15 min
Per employee, end-to-end
Nationwide
In-clinic or onsite
Every worker gets their own Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) — an objective Pass / Fail you can defend.
Quick answer

The short version

KINNECT's Hearing Fit Testing measures the actual protection each worker gets from their 3M hearing protection device — a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) — using the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System. It's a fast, quantitative, ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018-compliant test that confirms earplugs and earmuffs are doing their job in noisy workplaces. Available in KINNECT clinics across QLD, NSW, VIC, WA, SA and NT, or delivered onsite anywhere in Australia.

Why Hearing Fit Testing matters

Issuing earplugs isn’t the same as protecting hearing.

For workplaces with elevated noise exposure, effective hearing protection is both a regulatory requirement and a duty of care. But the protection level a worker actually receives depends entirely on the fit of their device — and ears, devices and fitting technique all vary. Hearing Fit Testing closes that gap with an objective, per-worker measurement instead of a manufacturer claim.

Compliance you can prove

A documented, science-based PAR for every worker — backed by an objective Pass / Fail against your site noise exposure limits.

Real protection, not assumed protection

Lab-rated NRR / Class numbers rarely reflect real-world fit. E-A-Rfit™ measures what each worker is actually getting in both ears, simultaneously.

Coaching built in

If a worker fails, our consultant retrains them on correct fit on the spot — or recommends an alternative HPD that will work for them.

What happens on the day

A 10 to 15 minute test, per worker.

We keep the process tight so you can move a full crew through quickly — onsite or in one of our clinics.

  1. 01

    Initial fit

    The worker fits their own HPD the way they normally would on site. We don’t coach first — we want a true baseline of how they’re wearing it day to day.

  2. 02

    Quantitative test

    The 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ system measures the protection achieved in both ears simultaneously — about two seconds per ear — across all seven hearing frequencies, returning an objective PAR and a Pass / Fail against your noise exposure limit.

  3. 03

    Coach & retest

    If the worker fails, our consultant demonstrates correct fitting technique, lets them try again, and re-runs the test. If they still don’t pass, we try an alternative compatible HPD.

  4. 04

    Reporting

    Results — including PAR and Pass / Fail outcomes — are sent to both the employee and the employer to support your health and safety record-keeping.

The technology

Why we use the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ system.

We standardised on 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ because it’s fast, quantitative and consistent — a science-based test that returns a defensible Pass or Fail against your own noise exposure limit, not a vague comfort check.

Note: only 3M™ products can be tested using the E-A-Rfit™ machine. If you use non-3M HPDs, talk to us — we can advise on the best path forward.

  • Simultaneous dual-ear testing
  • Fast, clear, accurate results
  • Provides an exact PAR rating for each worker
  • Earplug and earmuff testing capability
  • Science-based, quantitative measurement
  • Tests all 7 hearing frequencies
  • Compliant with ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018
Who it’s for & what you need

Built for noise-exposed teams — onsite or in-clinic.

Hearing Fit Testing is recommended for any employee working in noise above 85 dB across a standard 8-hour shift (or 82 dB across a 12-hour shift) who relies on hearing protection. It’s especially valuable for new starters, anyone moving to a new HPD model, and as part of annual reviews.

Who should be tested

  • Workers exposed to noise levels above the workplace exposure standard
  • New employees and anyone newly issued an HPD
  • Workers changing HPD model, sites or roles
  • Annual reassessment as part of your hearing conservation program

What to send us first

  • The 3M HPD model(s) your workers use — we need a specialised replica to test against
  • Your workplace noise exposure limit (we default to the 85 dB Australian standard if unknown)
  • Maximum noise exposure per role, ideally from an Occupational Noise Assessment
  • Numbers and timing — we can come to you, or run sessions in our clinics
Where we deliver it

In-clinic across Australia, or onsite at your workplace.

Our occupational health consultants are supported by clinics in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and travel nationally for onsite testing programs.

In-clinic

Ideal for individual workers, small crews or anyone already attending a KINNECT clinic for another medical. Bundle Hearing Fit Testing into a single appointment.

Onsite at your workplace

We bring the 3M E-A-Rfit™ system to you — fully mobile, designed to move quickly through a roster with minimal disruption. Best for whole teams, shutdown periods or annual programs.

KINNECT clinic network

Find a KINNECT clinic near you.

Explore our current clinic locations. Service availability varies by clinic, so contact us to confirm the right location for this service.

View all our clinics
Frequently asked

Hearing Fit Testing questions, answered.

What if my workplace uses multiple types of hearing protection devices?
We can test multiple HPD types — earplugs and earmuffs — so workers who switch between devices for different tasks can have each one verified.
How do I get our workplace noise exposure data before testing?
You can gather this through an Occupational Noise Assessment performed by a certified Occupational Hygienist or Noise Consultant.
Can you test non-3M HPDs?
Not at this time — the E-A-Rfit™ system is calibrated for 3M products only. If you have non-3M devices, contact our team and we’ll talk through your options.
What’s the difference between quantitative and qualitative testing?
Quantitative testing (the 3M E-A-Rfit™ method we use) is an objective, decibel-level measurement of the protection achieved — returning a clear Pass / Fail. Qualitative testing relies on subjective comfort reports and is far less reliable.
How often should Hearing Fit Testing be done?
We recommend annually as a baseline, and whenever a worker is issued a new HPD model or reports any change in comfort or fit.
How long does the test take?
Around 10–15 minutes per employee end-to-end. The quantitative measurement itself takes about two seconds per ear; the rest is education, refitting and recording.
What should employees bring or prepare?
Their current HPDs. We also ask that they avoid loud noise exposure in the hours immediately before the test, and follow any specific instructions provided by their employer or our testing team.
What happens if an employee’s HPD fails?
Our consultant coaches them through the correct fitting technique and retests. If they still don’t pass, we’ll recommend a compatible alternative HPD that may suit them better.
Will employees receive documentation of their results?
Yes — each worker gets a report with their quantitative results and any recommendations, and a copy goes to the employer for health and safety record-keeping.
Related services

Other Health Monitoring services teams pair with Hearing Fit.

Hearing protection is usually part of a wider hazard-based monitoring program. Here are the services we’re asked for most often alongside it.

See all Health Monitoring services
Get a quote

Ready to prove your hearing protection works?

Tell us your team size, your 3M HPD models and whether you’d prefer in-clinic or onsite — we’ll come back with a tailored quote and the soonest available sessions.

Get a Quote
Call 1300 546 632

Practical legislative guidance

Turn workplace exposure obligations into a clear next step.

Use these employer resources to understand health surveillance requirements, choose the right monitoring point and investigate exposure-specific considerations.

Hearing Fit Testing | KINNECT