Loud work environments cause permanent hearing loss.

Are your employees protected?

We have over 40 years of experience designing and managing occupational-hearing programs in Northern Illinois.

Manager's Quick Guide to Occupational-Hearing Compliance

This 2-page guide shows you how to comply with OSHA’s occupational-hearing regulations.

- Risks of ignoring occupational-hearing conservation
- Benefits of occupational-hearing conservation
- Rule-of-Thumb Test
- Action plan for occupational-hearing success

Get Your Planning Guide

Problem: Hearing Damage from Loud Work

When working in high-noise environments with unprotected hearing, employees risk

Partial and permanent hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Dementia triggered by hearing loss
Increased blood pressure and fatigue (Pregnant employees are especially vulnerable to this.)
People with mild-to-moderate hearing loss experience 46% more hospitalizations over a 10-year period.

The damage of hearing loss isn't limited to the workplace. It changes every aspect of your employees' lives. For example, even mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia.

"Highest quality always to the current OSHA Standards"

I have had the privilege of working with the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Center team since scheduling our annual industrial hearing tests in June, 2010. All team members are personable and professional. Services provided are of the highest quality always to the current OSHA Standards at the time of testing. Communication is on the same level before, during & after testing. Highly recommended.

—Bar Processing Corporation, Chicago Heights, IL

Less Safe. Less Productive.

When employees can’t hear well in noisy worksites, they’re more hazardous to their colleagues and less productive.

As a result employers risk more worker-compensation claims and personal-injury lawsuits (which settle for $100,000-$500,000 typically).

Without a program of occupational-hearing conservation (OHC), companies often pay higher premiums for worker-compensation insurance.

Why would any company position themselves to be less competitive?

Solution: Occupational Hearing Conservation

Occupational-hearing conservation (OHC) is not only smart business, a health benefit for employees, but it’s also the law.

When employee noise exposures equal or exceed 85 decibels, OSHA Regulation 1910.95(c) requires employers to administer, “a continuing, effective hearing-conservation program.” OHC programs protect workers from:

Partial and permanent hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Cognitive decline, dementia
High blood pressure
Anxiety, depression
Unhealthy psychological stress

"The convenience of their mobile testing"

Why do we continue to use Sertoma Speech and Hearing after all these years? The convenience of their mobile testing unit; they bring the test to us and that is one less thing that we have to worry about when it comes to staying in compliance. For a small company that's priceless.

—Raco Steel Company, Markham, IL

For Less Fatigue and Higher Job Satisfaction, Protect Hearing

Protecting employee hearing with an OHC program makes companies more competitive because OHC:

Increases productivity (less fatigue).
Reduces on-the-job accidents (more aware of surroundings).
Increases quality of work (more focus).
Increases retention of employees (more positive view of employers and work).

A Complete OHC Solution

We design, manage, and annually maintain OHC programs that comply with OSHA’s five program requirements.

Sound-level monitoring, OSHA Regulation 1910.95(d)
Hearing testing, OSHA Regulation 1910.95(g)
Selection and fitting of hearing protection, OSHA Regulation 1910.95(i)
Employee training, OSHA Regulation 1910.95(k)
Recording-keeping, OSHA Regulation 1910.95(m)

"We have had nothing but positive experience"

We have been using Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers as our go-to for our annual Hearing Conservation testing because Dolores makes the experience quick, easy, and issue free. We have had nothing but positive experience with Sertoma and look forward to working them next year!

—Plastipak, Alsip, IL

Contact Dolores Leidecker, COHC

Dolores is a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservator with deep experience implementing and managing OHC programs. Clients praise her for making occupational hearing an enjoyable experience for management and employees. Contact Dolores for pricing, scheduling, and answers to your questions.

Dolores Leidecker, COHC | Email
708–599-9500