Teleaudiology in Occupational Hearing Conservation: OSHA Compliance Guide

Teleaudiology in occupational hearing conservation means the Professional Supervisor reviews audiometric results remotely rather than on-site. OSHA 1910.95 requires PS oversight but does not require physical presence. According to CDC/NIOSH, approximately 22 million U.S. workers face hazardous noise annually — teleaudiology makes qualified PS oversight accessible to employers in locations where local audiologists are unavailable.

OSHA's Position on Remote PS Supervision

OSHA Letters of Interpretation have clarified that the PS requirement is about the quality of clinical oversight, not physical presence. A PS who genuinely reviews audiograms remotely — identifying STSs, making clinical determinations, and providing timely follow-up recommendations — satisfies 1910.95(g)(3). What does not satisfy the requirement is a PS who is nominally associated with a program but does not perform actual clinical review, regardless of whether they are remote or on-site.

What Makes Remote PS Review Compliant

Soundtrace's Teleaudiology Model

Soundtrace's Professional Supervisor reviews all audiograms conducted through the platform. Every audiogram transmits electronically for PS review upon completion. STS detection is automated at the point of testing, with immediate PS notification for any potential shift. Referral and baseline revision decisions are documented in the employer's cloud-accessible record — delivering the same quality of clinical oversight as an on-site program, accessible to employers nationwide. See: Professional Supervisor OSHA requirements: employer guide.