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The Occupational Hearing Conservationist is the person at the center of most industrial audiometric testing programs -- yet their exact role, certification requirements, and supervisory obligations are poorly understood by many safety managers who work with them daily. This guide explains what an OHC is, what OSHA requires of them, how CAOHC certification works, and where OHC responsibilities end and audiologist oversight begins.
Soundtrace works with CAOHC-certified Occupational Hearing Conservationists and provides built-in audiology oversight for every testing program -- so employers always have the qualified supervision OSHA requires without needing to hire a full-time audiologist.
An Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC) is a CAOHC-certified technician trained to administer industrial pure-tone audiometric tests. They can conduct testing but cannot make final clinical determinations -- those require review by a licensed audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician under OSHA 1910.95.
An Occupational Hearing Conservationist (OHC) is a trained and certified technician who specializes in conducting pure-tone audiometric testing in occupational health settings. OHCs are the primary testers in most industrial hearing conservation programs -- they administer the baseline and annual audiograms, operate and maintain audiometric equipment, and document results.
The OHC role exists specifically for the occupational health context. Unlike clinical audiologists who work in healthcare settings, OHCs are trained to conduct testing efficiently within industrial environments -- including mobile van programs, in-plant testing booths, and on-site occupational health clinics.
▶ Bottom line: The OHC is the hands-on tester in most hearing conservation programs. They conduct the audiometric tests but work under the supervision of a licensed audiologist or physician for all clinical decisions.
OSHA 1910.95(g)(3) specifies that audiometric testing must be performed by one of the following: a licensed or certified audiologist, an otolaryngologist, a physician, or a technician who is certified by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) and works under the supervision of an audiologist or physician.
In practice, this means the OHC handles day-to-day testing operations, while the supervising audiologist or physician reviews results, confirms Standard Threshold Shift determinations, assesses work-relatedness, and authorizes referrals.
▶ Bottom line: OSHA explicitly names CAOHC-certified technicians (OHCs) as qualified audiometric testers -- but only under proper professional supervision. The supervision relationship is a compliance requirement, not just a best practice.
The Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) administers the OHC certification program. Requirements include:
CAOHC also offers specialized certifications including the Occupational Hearing Conservation Course Director (OHC-CD) for those who train other technicians.
▶ Bottom line: CAOHC certification is a 20-hour course plus exam. It qualifies the holder to administer OSHA-compliant industrial audiometric tests under physician or audiologist supervision for 5 years.
OSHA 1910.95 requires that OHC-conducted testing occur under the supervision of a licensed audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician. This supervision does not require the audiologist to be physically present during every test -- what it requires is that a qualified professional reviews audiometric results, particularly for Standard Threshold Shift determination and work-relatedness assessment.
In most compliant programs, the supervisory model works as follows: the OHC conducts testing and flags potential STS cases; the supervising audiologist reviews all flagged results and provides written confirmation of findings; the employer receives a formal review report from the professional.
| Function | OHC Authorized? | Who Is Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Administer pure-tone audiometric tests | Yes | OHC (under supervision) |
| Operate and maintain audiometric equipment | Yes | OHC |
| Document and file audiometric records | Yes | OHC |
| Flag potential STS for review | Yes | OHC |
| Confirm Standard Threshold Shift | No | Audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician |
| Determine work-relatedness for OSHA 300 log | No | Audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician |
| Recommend clinical referral | No | Audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician |
| Diagnose hearing disorders | No | Audiologist or physician (clinical scope) |
No. An audiologist holds a clinical doctoral degree and can diagnose hearing disorders and treat patients. An OHC is an occupational health technician trained specifically to administer pure-tone audiometric tests in industrial settings under the supervision of an audiologist or physician. Their roles are complementary but distinct.
No. Under OSHA 1910.95, audiometric records must be reviewed by a licensed audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician. The OHC administers the test; the supervising professional reviews results and determines STS findings, work-relatedness, and referral needs.
CAOHC OHC certification is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires completing continuing education in hearing conservation and passing a recertification examination.
No. Many employers outsource audiometric testing to an occupational health vendor that provides OHC-certified staff. What is required is that testing be conducted by a qualified person -- either an OHC under proper supervision, or directly by an audiologist or physician.
Yes. In many smaller programs, a single EHS professional holds OHC certification and also manages the broader hearing conservation program. The OHC role covers the clinical testing component; program administration is a separate operational responsibility.
Soundtrace provides the full clinical infrastructure your program needs: CAOHC-aligned testing protocols, automated audiometry, and professional audiology review for every annual testing cycle.
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