Hearing Conservation
That Runs With Your Line.
24/7 production, high turnover, cold rooms, and washdowns. Your floor never stops — your hearing conservation program shouldn't require it to.
40%+
Avg. annual turnover
88–100
dBA typical range
3+
Shifts per day
24/7
Production cycles
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 Food Production
Mobile vans weren't designed for facilities that run three shifts, seven days a week, with workforce turnover faster than inventory.
24/7 Production Can't Stop for Testing
Pulling workers off the line for a van visit disrupts throughput and costs thousands per hour. Testing needs to fit into shift changes — not shut down a line.
High Turnover Means Constant Baselines
40%+ annual turnover means constantly onboarding workers who need baseline audiograms within 6 months. Missed baselines grow your compliance exposure every day.
Wet, Cold Environments Complicate HPD
Refrigerated areas, washdowns, and humidity degrade HPD fit. Foam earplugs get damp and lose their seal. Workers in gloves struggle with insertion.
USDA/FDA Audits Add a Second Layer
USDA FSIS and FDA inspections already stretch your EHS team. When OSHA adds hearing conservation to the audit, incomplete records become compounding findings.
Built for Your Operations
How Soundtrace Fits Into Food Production
Test During Shift Changes
6 min
per test
6-minute tests between shifts. Workers complete their test before clocking out. No production disruption.
Onboard New Hires Instantly
Day 1
baseline captured
Baseline audiograms on day one. No waiting for a van visit. Every new hire tested before they hit the floor.
Verify Fit in Real Conditions
Real
NRR verification
HPD fit testing measures actual attenuation. Catch wet-glove seal failures and retrain insertion technique on the spot.
Audit-Ready Records, Always
30+
year retention
Every audiogram, fit test, and training record stored digitally with 30+ year retention. Instant retrieval for OSHA or internal audits.
Know Your Exposure
Typical Noise Levels in Food Processing
Many food production areas exceed OSHA's 85 dBA action level — including zones that often fly under the radar.
Continuous high-speed mechanical impact
Variable based on product consistency
Steady-state, easy to overlook
Often excluded from monitoring
High-pressure sprayers add peaks
How Loud Is That?
60 dB
Normal conversation
85 dB
OSHA action level
110 dB
Rock concert
OSHA ITA Data
Hearing Loss Trends in Food Production (NAICS 311)
OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) reported hearing loss cases across 1,172 food & beverage companies, 2016–2024.
1,172
Companies
Across food & beverage
15,622
Total HL Cases
2016–2024 combined
1.42%
Avg Injury Rate
Cases ÷ employees
Compliance Context
Navigating OSHA + USDA in Food Production
Food facilities operate under multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95
Monitoring, audiometric testing, HPD, training, and recordkeeping for all workers above 85 dBA TWA.
USDA FSIS Sanitation
HPD must meet sanitation requirements. Some plants require detectable or metal-detectable earplugs to prevent contamination.
Cross-Regulatory Risk
Incomplete HCP records compound food safety risk. Gaps become audit findings that pile up during joint inspections.
Go Deeper
Food Production Resources
Related Features
6-minute OSHA-compliant hearing tests on any shift
Continuous dosimetry for variable production environments
30-year digital retention for multi-regulatory audits
Verify actual protection in wet/cold conditions
Real results from Soundtrace customers across industries
Your Line Runs 24/7.
Your Compliance Program Should Too.
See how Soundtrace fits into food production — no disruption, no gaps, no excuses.