Hearing Conservation
for Ground Operations.
Ramp noise exceeds 115 dBA. Ground crews rotate between gates, hangars, and terminals. Your hearing conservation program needs to keep up with every assignment.
39
Companies tracked
110–140
dBA ramp range
0.55%
Avg injury rate
3,969
Total HL cases
Independent 1910.95 Audit
Third-Party Reviewed
FDA Registered
Class II Medical Device
SOC 2 Type II
AICPA Certified
HIPAA Compliant
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Made in USA
Engineered & Built
The Reality on the Floor
Why Traditional Testing Fails in Air Transportation
Mobile vans can't reach the ramp. Rotating gate assignments make individual tracking nearly impossible without connected dosimetry.
Ramp and Flight Line Noise Exceeds 115 dBA
Ground crews, baggage handlers, and ramp agents work within meters of jet engines and APUs. Peak noise regularly exceeds OSHA's 115 dBA ceiling, requiring dual HPD and strict exposure time limits.
Communication-Critical Environments
Ground crews must hear radio calls and marshaling instructions while wearing hearing protection. Standard HPDs block communication; electronic or filtered devices add cost and training requirements.
Dispersed Workforce Across Gates and Facilities
Workers rotate between terminals, hangars, and ramp positions. Tracking individual noise exposure across shifting assignments makes traditional monitoring nearly impossible.
FAA + OSHA Dual Regulatory Burden
Airlines must comply with OSHA 1910.95 for ground operations and FAA medical standards for flight crew. Gaps in hearing conservation records become audit findings across both frameworks.
Built for Your Operations
How Soundtrace Fits Into Air Transportation
Test Between Shifts at the Gate
6 min
per test
6-minute audiometric tests completed during shift changes. No need to pull ramp agents off the line or schedule offsite van visits.
Track Exposure Across Assignments
Per
worker tracking
Personal dosimetry tied to each worker regardless of which gate, terminal, or hangar they rotate through during the shift.
Verify HPD Fit for Dual Protection
Real
NRR verification
Fit testing measures actual attenuation for earplug-under-earmuff combinations required at ramp-level noise. Document real-world NRR for every worker.
Unified Records for FAA + OSHA
30+
year retention
Every audiogram, fit test, and exposure record in one system with 30+ year retention. Instant retrieval for either regulator.
Know Your Exposure
Typical Noise Levels in Air Transportation
Ramp and flight line operations routinely exceed OSHA's 115 dBA ceiling. Even support areas often surpass the 85 dBA action level.
Exceeds OSHA ceiling at close range
Sustained during turnaround
Conveyor and cart noise
Riveting, grinding, engine runs
Tugs, pushback, de-icing
Below action level
How Loud Is That?
60 dB
Normal conversation
85 dB
OSHA action level
110 dB
Rock concert
140 dB
Gunshot
OSHA ITA Data
Hearing Loss Trends in Air Transportation (NAICS 481)
OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) reported hearing loss cases across 39 air transportation companies, 2016\u20132024.
39
Companies
Across air transportation
3,969
Total HL Cases
2016–2024 combined
0.55%
Avg Injury Rate
Cases ÷ employees
Compliance Context
Navigating OSHA + FAA in Air Transportation
Air transportation operations must satisfy multiple regulatory frameworks for hearing health.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95
Full hearing conservation program for all ground operations workers exposed at or above 85 dBA TWA.
FAA Medical Standards
Flight crew hearing requirements under FAA medical certification. Audiometric records must be maintained separately.
Dual-Exposure Risk
Ramp agents exposed to both continuous engine noise and impulse events. Peak levels regularly exceed 140 dB, requiring documented dual HPD programs.
Go Deeper
Air Transportation Resources
Related Features
6-minute OSHA-compliant hearing tests on any shift
Personal dosimetry for rotating ramp assignments
30-year digital retention for FAA + OSHA audits
Verify dual-protection attenuation for ramp crews
Real results from Soundtrace customers across industries
Your Ground Crews Work in Extreme Noise.
Your Program Should Handle It.
See how Soundtrace fits into air transportation operations - ramp to hangar, every shift, every worker.