Purdue University & Soundtrace: A New Model for Hearing Conservation

At Soundtrace, we’re proud to partner with organizations committed to hearing conservation. So it’s especially meaningful to be featured in The Hearing Journal through a recent article by Purdue University, which documents how their hearing conservation program (HCP) was modernized using our technology.

Why This Matters

According to the article titled “Hearing Conservation Program Model in a University Setting: Building Upon Historic Success” by Shannon M. Van Hyfte, AuD, CCC-A, Purdue’s longtime HCP faced several persistent program-logistics challenges, including high no-show rates, lengthy testing times, manual data entry, and scheduling burdens.

Key Highlights

• Under the legacy model, Purdue’s HCP saw employee no-show rates between 16 % and 24 %.
• After adopting a revised model (including online education, centralized scheduling in one week, and our audiometers + software), the no-show rate dropped to 2.7 % — with 251 of 258 eligible employees tested.
• Test time fell dramatically: what used to require ~30 minutes per employee was reduced to an average of 6 minutes thanks in part to Soundtrace’s automated audiometers and streamlined process.
• The updated model re-centered scheduling control under the Environmental Health & Safety unit, freed up front-desk resources, reinforced student education (AuD students remained involved), and ensured the whole eligible population could be tested in a “hearing conservation week.”

Our Role & Shared Vision

Soundtrace’s hearing-testing hardware and software formed a core component of Purdue’s redesigned model. We provided the tools that enabled faster testing, reduced manual entry errors, and allowed student-audiologist involvement to focus on counseling and interpretation rather than administrative burden.

More than just a vendor relationship, this was a collaborative redesign of a hearing conservation program, one where our technology was integrated into an educational institution’s mission and operational workflows. The result: measurable improvements, better participation, and less disruption for the workforce.

What This Means for Organizations

If your organization is managing a hearing conservation program and encountering some of the familiar pain points, high absentee/test-no-show rates, long appointment times, scheduling overhead, manual data capture, this case offers a real-world roadmap for change.

• Consider whether your scheduling and testing process could be consolidated or simplified.
• Evaluate how automation might reduce appointment time and data-entry burden.
• Think about how education, ownership of scheduling, and program visibility affect workforce participation.
• Recognize the value of partnerships that bring both technology and process redesign — not just a “tool” but a new way of working.

Looking Forward

Our collaboration with Purdue University exemplifies how hearing conservation can move from compliance to optimization. At Soundtrace, we’re honored to have played a part in this journey. We look forward to partnering with more organizations ready to redefine how they protect hearing — with smarter workflows, better data, and stronger outcomes.

Read the full article from Purdue University in The Hearing Journal