2-Day Surveillance Audiometry Course

£490 for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first). Non-members £590. There is a maximum of 20 places.

2-Day Surveillance Audiometry Course
(Compliance with The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005)

Date and Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm, Thursday 9th & Friday 10th April 2026

Venue: St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, London NW1 1DF (maps)

Please note that this is an in-person event only. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Trainer - Melanie Brewster, Clinical Physiologist (Audiology)

This two-day face-to-face training course is practical and includes extensive ‘hands-on' experience of audiometry, ear examination and appropriate analysis of audiograms, under the direct supervision of a qualified, experienced tutor, in line with CNWR2005. Suitable for OH physicians, nurses, technicians and other clinicians.

This course follows the guidelines as stated by BSA and training candidates will acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas:
a. Communication needs of hearing impaired people 
b. Anatomy and physiology of the outer, middle and inner ear, with particular reference to the effects of excessive sound on these structures 
c. Hygiene and disinfection, and risks of cross-infection 
d. Safe technique for ear examination 
e. Identification of the structures of the outer ear and eardrum 
f. Contraindications to audiometry 
g. Manual and automated audiometry 
h. Referral criteria and process
i. Basic hearing protection in noise 
j. The need for third-party insurance 

Additionally, the course adds relevant training specific to the requirements of CNWR 2005 (L108):
1. Normal audiograms for age
2. Audiogram characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss
3. Severity of NIHL relative to exposure
4. Audiogram characteristics of non-noise-induced hearing loss
5. Impulse noise hearing loss (acoustic shock)
6. Role of the OHP
7. Role of the competent adviser
8. SOM guidance

Candidates are required to bring the audiometers they use day-to-day to the training course, plus an otoscope.

CPD points accredited by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) and SOM Certificate of Attendance.

Delegate fee - £490 SOM member; £590 non SOM member

Duration 13 hours

Trainer: Melanie Brewster, Clinical Physiologist (Audiology) RCCP 1529, Dip Safety Management, Cert OH Law

Melanie Brewster is an NHS-trained Clinical Physiologist specialising in audiology. Alongside private and medico-legal practice she provided the assessment service for the claimants from the NCB and war pension directorate in the early 1990s and branched out into occupational health in 1996 setting up her own Occupational Health company which specialises in noise. Melanie was instrumental in the 2021 changes in CNWR 2005 guidance and still works in the NHS part-time as an external consultant.  

Melanie is an advocate for the correct identification of noise-induced hearing loss and has over 35 years of experience in interpreting audiograms in the industry. She provides specialist Occupational Health risk assessment and reports for employees identified as having hearing loss including advising on the compatibility of hearing aids and hearing protection and the management of safety-critical workers with hearing loss.

Melanie has been a trainer for many years alongside advising major insurance companies on NIHL claims, validating medico-legal audiograms and several papers published in her subject.

(SOM members please log in on the SOM website to get the discount).