Australia Model Code of Practice Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work 5.4-SHIFT: When audiometry shows a temporary or permanent threshold shift or a worker reports tinnitus, review the controls to find more effective measures that remove reliance on hearing protectors; where protectors continue, verify their nominal performance, condition, fit and consistent correct use; and where hearing loss affects safe work, modify the environment with volume controls, acoustically treated meeting areas, visual warnings or alternative work

What does 5.4-SHIFT require?

When audiometric assessment reveals a temporary or permanent threshold shift, or a worker reports a recent diagnosis of tinnitus, the PCBU must review its control measures to decide whether more effective controls can be implemented so that workers no longer have to rely on hearing protectors. If a worker will continue to use protectors, the PCBU should verify that the protector's nominal performance is adequate for the exposure, examine it for damage, check that it fits closely with no leakage paths, ask the worker about any difficulty using it, and check that it is used correctly and consistently during work. Where workers have enough hearing loss to interfere with safe performance of their work, all reasonably practicable steps should be taken to modify the environment, for instance volume control on telephones and similar equipment, acoustically treated meeting areas with low noise and reflection, supplementary visual warning signals, or alternative work where other measures do not resolve the situation.