Protecting Your Team’s Hearing Health
Protect your employees’ long-term health and ensure compliance with workplace health standards with KINNECT’s Hearing Fit Testing service. Using 3M™ E-A-Rfit™, we ensure that each worker’s hearing protection equipment is optimally fitted to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in high-noise environments.
Why Hearing Fit Testing Matters
For workplaces with elevated noise exposure, effective hearing protection is essential. Not only is it a regulatory requirement, but it’s also key to safeguarding employees’ well-being and preventing long-term hearing damage. Properly fitted hearing protection devices (HPDs) are crucial to their effectiveness. KINNECT’s Hearing Fit Testing ensures that every employee’s HPD achieves the required protection level, giving you confidence in their safety.
Our Approach
Using the state-of-the-art 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ machine, we conduct precise testing that measures the actual protection level (called a Personal Attenuation Rating or PAR) each worker receives from their Hearing Protection Device (HPD) in both ears simultaneously. This method provides each worker with their own PAR number, so you can be certain the HPD they use protects against workplace noise exposure.
Every employee is unique. Every role is unique. Every ear is unique. Identifying each employee’s PAR number is the key to achieving compliance and ensuring their hearing protection truly works. We have found the 3M E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System to be fast, accurate, and effortless.
*Please note: only 3M™ products can be tested using the E-A-Rfit™ machine.
3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Features:
- Simultaneous dual-ear testing
- Fast, clear, accurate results
- Provides an exact PAR rating for each worker
- Has both earplug and earmuff testing capability
- Is a science-based, quantitative test
- Tests all 7 hearing frequencies
- Is compliant with ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018
How the Testing Process Works
Our trained specialists can verify the PAR of any 3M-branded hearing protection. Here’s how it works:
- Initial Fit: Employees start by fitting their HPDs using their usual method of fitting their earplugs or earmuffs.
- Quantitative Test (3M™ E-A-Rfit™): After the employee has fitted their HPD, the 3M E-A-RFit machine conducts an automated assessment that takes about 2 seconds per ear. This machine provides a real-time analysis of the hearing protection (PAR) level achieved, giving an objective Pass/Fail result that informs adjustments.
- Retest: If the employee does not meet the PAR requirements using the method they used to fit their hearing protection, the consultant will educate the worker on how to fit the HPD correctly and be retested. If the worker still does not pass, they can be retested with an alternative hearing protection model.
- Results: Will be sent to the employee and employer following testing.
Before the Test
What is required before you can undergo 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ testing?
- Inform KINNECT what model of 3M HPD you will need tested for each employee. If you have multiple different models that employees use, all of them will need to be provided to KINNECT prior to testing to ensure that we have the right HPD model to test them against (we cannot test them with your HPDs, we need a specialised replica model to test with).
- Provide KINNECT with your company’s Noise Exposure Limit (if unknown, we will test against the Australian standard of 85dB), and the maximum noise exposure for each job role. If you do not have this, we can still perform the test and provide each worker with a PAR, but you will not know if the result is a pass or a fail. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you provide us with this data which can be obtained withan Occupational Noise Assessment.
Service Locations
National Footprint
KINNECT’s experienced occupational health consultants are supported by offices nationwide and can travel to your workplace, offering a fully mobile service to meet your needs.
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Perth, WA
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Rockingham, WA
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Madeley, WA
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Osborne Park, WA
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Adelaide, SA
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Melbourne, VIC
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Wollongong, NSW
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Sydney, NSW
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Newcastle, NSW
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Gold Coast, QLD
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Brisbane QLD
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Sunshine Coast, QLD
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Bundaberg, QLD
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Gladstone, QLD
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Rockhampton, QLD
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Mackay, QLD
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Townsville, QLD
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Cairns, QLD
Frequently Asked Questions
KINNECT can test multiple types of HPDs, including earplugs and earmuffs, to ensure each device provides sufficient protection. If employees use different types of protection based on their tasks, we can test and verify the fit of each type as part of our service.
You can gather this data through an Occupational Noise Assessment performed by a certified Occupational Hygenist or Noise Consultant.
At this time, KINNECT can only perform Hearing Fit testing on 3M products. If you have non-3M products you would like tested, please feel free to contact our sales team to discuss.
Quantitative testing provides an objective measure of how well a hearing protector fits and how much noise reduction it offers.
The 3M™ E-A-Rfit™machine conducts a precise, automated test that measures the protection level in decibels, offering an instant Pass/Fail result to indicate if adjustments are necessary.
Qualitative testing is a subjective evaluation that involves asking employees to report on the comfort and fit of their HPD (ear plugs only).
As it is a subjective measure, its accuracy is not as reliable as the Quantitative method of the 3M E-A-Rfit machine.
At this time, KINNECT can only perform Quantitative Hearing Fit testing on 3M products. If you have non-3M earplugs you would like tested, please feel free to contact our sales team to discuss.
At this time, we are unable to test any non-3M Earmuffs.
Hearing Fit Testing is recommended for employees working in high-noise environments (exposed to sound levels over 85dB in a standard 8-hour work day, or 82dB over a 12-hour work day) who are required to wear HPDs regularly.
This testing is especially important for new employees, those using new types of HPDs, and workers who may need a reassessment due to changes in their work environment or personal comfort.
It’s recommended to conduct Hearing Fit Testing annually to ensure continued effectiveness and fit, as well as whenever a new HPD is introduced or an employee experiences any discomfort or change in fit.
Each Hearing Fit Test typically takes around 10-15 minutes per employee. Our process is designed to minimise disruption, allowing you to test multiple employees in a short period.
Employees should bring their current HPDs to the test. We recommend that they avoid loud noise exposure in the hours leading up to the test and follow any specific instructions provided by their employer or our testing team.
If an HPD fails the quantitative test, we assist the employee in refitting or adjusting their device. If needed, we’ll recommend alternative HPDs that may provide a better fit or protection level.
Yes, during the test, our specialists provide employees with information on the correct way to fit and wear their hearing protection devices for maximum effectiveness. We also educate employees on the risks of noise exposure, the importance of hearing protection, and the need for consistent use of HPDs to prevent long-term hearing loss.
Yes, each employee will receive a report detailing their quantitative test results and any recommendations. This information can be shared with employers to support ongoing health and safety record-keeping.
Hearing Fit Testing is available at multiple KINNECT locations across Australia, including our Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia clinics. Contact us to confirm availability in your area or discuss the option of on-site testing at your workplace.
To schedule a Hearing Fit Testing session, contact KINNECT, and our team will work with you to arrange a convenient time to test your employees on-site or at one of our locations.
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