Workplace Hearing Tests in Ontario: What Workers and Employers Need to Know

Last updated: August 14, 2026

In this article

• What is a workplace hearing test?
• Does Ontario law require workplace hearing testing?
• How do I know if my workplace is too loud?
• Work-related hearing loss and WSIB claims
• Frequently asked questions

 

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational injuries in Ontario, and one of the few that is almost entirely preventable. It also develops so gradually that most workers do not notice it until the damage is permanent.

The impact is significant. According to Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, there were 8,312 claims for noise-induced hearing loss filed with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in 2025. In response to those numbers, Ministry of Labour occupational hygienists are conducting workplace noise inspections across Ontario from April 2026 through March 2027. Whether you work in a noisy environment or manage people who do, now is a good time to understand how workplace hearing testing works.

What Is a Workplace Hearing Test?

A workplace hearing test, also called an industrial or occupational audiometric assessment, measures your hearing across a range of frequencies and records the results as an audiogram.

Audiogram: a graph that maps your hearing sensitivity across different pitches, used to identify the type and degree of any hearing loss.

The purpose is twofold. A baseline test taken when a worker starts a role with noise exposure, creates a record of their hearing at that point in time. Follow-up tests, usually conducted annually, are then compared against that baseline. Because noise damage typically shows up first in the higher frequencies before it affects everyday conversation, testing can flag a change while there is still time to act on it. The test itself is painless and generally takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Does Ontario Law Require Workplace Hearing Testing?

Ontario’s workplace noise requirements are set out in Ontario Regulation 381/15 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which came into force in July 2016 and applies to nearly all Ontario workplaces. The core requirement is that employers must ensure no worker is exposed to a sound level greater than 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour work day.

The regulation sets out a hierarchy that employers are expected to follow, in this order:

• Engineering controls to reduce noise at the source or along its path
• Work practices such as equipment maintenance or scheduling to limit exposure time
• Hearing protection devices, used only when the measures above cannot reduce exposure below the limit

 

Employers must also post warning signs at entrances to areas where sound levels  regularly exceeds 85 dBA, and provide training on the care and use of any hearing protection they supply. For shifts longer than eight hours, the equivalent exposure limit is lower: CCOHS explains how the 3 dB exchange rate applies to extended shifts, which matters in manufacturing and construction where 10 and 12-hour days are common.

The regulation does not specifically require audiometric testing. In practice, however, hearing testing is a standard part of a hearing conservation program. Regular hearing tests help employers confirm that their controls are working, while providing workers with a documented record of their hearing over time.

How Do I Know If My Workplace Is Too Loud?

A practical indicator used in Ontario Ministry of Labour guidance is speech difficulty: if you have to raise your voice significantly to be understood by someone standing about one meter away, the sound level is probably above 85 dBA.

Other signs worth paying attention to:

• Ringing or buzzing in your ears after a shift
• Muffled hearing at the end of the day that improves overnight
• Difficulty following conversation in the lunchroom or after work
• Family telling you the television is too loud

Temporary ringing or muffling after work is not harmless. It is a sign that the inner ear has been stressed, and repeated episodes may indicate cumulative damage. A proper noise assessment is the only way to measure exposure accurately, but these everyday warning signs should not be ignored.

Work-Related Hearing Loss and WSIB Claims

The WSIB recognises noise-induced hearing loss as an occupational disease under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Eligibility is assessed against specific criteria covering both the history of hazardous noise exposure and the degree of measured hearing loss, using an average across four speech frequencies. Because the WSIB has been reviewing this policy, workers should confirm the current criteria with the WSIB directly rather than relying on figures published elsewhere.

A few points that often surprise people:

• An audiogram from a registered audiologist is central to any claim. Without documented hearing results, there is little evidence to assess.
• A claim must be approved before the WSIB will fund hearing aids or related hearing services.
• Retired workers can still file a claim. Many people only notice their hearing loss once they leave a noisy environment, and claims are accepted where the exposure history can be established.
• Hearing loss related to normal aging is assessed separately.

If you are unsure whether your hearing loss may be work-related, the Office of the Worker Adviser provides free assistance to non-unionized Ontario workers navigating WSIB claims process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a workplace hearing test?

A workplace or industrial hearing test is an audiometric assessment that measures hearing across a range of frequencies and records the results as an audiogram. It establishes a baseline when a worker starts a role with noise exposure, then tracks changes over time so early signs of noise damage can be caught. The test is painless and typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Does Ontario law require workplace hearing testing?

Ontario Regulation 381/15 requires employers to ensure no worker is exposed to nose level above 85 dBA, averaged over an eight-hour workday, prioritizing engineering controls and work practices before hearing protection. While it does not specifically require audiometric testing, hearing tests are a standard part of an effective hearing conservation program, providing valuable documentation for both employers and workers.

How do I know if my workplace is too loud?

If you have to raise your voice significantly to be understood by someone standing about one meter away, the sound level is likely above 85 dBA. Ringing in the ears after a shift, muffled hearing at the end of the day, and needing the television louder at home are all warning signs. A formal noise assessment is the only way to measure exposure accurately.

Can I claim WSIB benefits for work-related hearing loss?

Yes. The WSIB recognizes noise-induced hearing loss as an occupational disease with specific entitlement criteria. An audiogram from a registered audiologist is central to the claim process, and a claim must be approved before the WSIB will fund hearing aids or related hearing services. Confirm current criteria with the WSIB directly.

Can I still file a WSIB claim after I have retired?

Yes. Many Ontario workers only notice their hearing loss after leaving a noisy workplace, and claims are accepted where the work-related exposure history can be established. If you spent years in a noisy trade and have never had your hearing assessed, a hearing test is a reasonable first step.

Does WSIB cover tinnitus?

The WSIB may provide coverage for tinnitus, but only alongside an accepted claim for occupational noise-induced hearing loss and where specific conditions are met regarding the history and confirmation of the tinnitus. Tinnitus on its own is difficult to claim. If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact the WSIB directly about your individual situation.

 

References

The following authoritative sources informed this article. We encourage workers and employers to consult them directly for current requirements.

• Government of Ontario — O. Reg. 381/15: Noise (Occupational Health and Safety Act) (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/150381)
• Government of Ontario — Guide to the Noise Regulation under the OHSA (https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-noise-regulation-under-occupational-health-and-safety-act/regulation)
• WSIB — Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Operational Policy (https://www.wsib.ca/en/operational-policy-manual/noise-induced-hearing-loss-after-january-2-1990)
• Workplace Safety & Prevention Services — MLITSD Noise Inspections (https://www.wsps.ca/resource-hub/articles/noise-inspections)
• CCOHS — Noise: Occupational Exposure Limits in Canada (https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise/exposure_can.html)
• Office of the Worker Adviser — Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (https://www.owa.gov.on.ca/en/workplace-insurance/filing-claim/noise-induced-hearing-loss/)