A Fresh Start in Hearing Conservation
For Martin Technical, Inc., safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about delivering more innovative and more effective ways to protect industrial workers. While Martin is well known for services like arc flash risk assessments and lockout/tagout procedure development, the company recently expanded its safety offerings by launching an in-house mobile hearing conservation program powered by the WAHTS System.
WAHTS (Wireless Automated Hearing Test System) is a fully portable, Bluetooth-connected solution that replaces traditional sound booths with noise-reducing headsets and tablet-based software—allowing OSHA-compliant hearing tests to be conducted anytime, anywhere.
For Martin Technical, WAHTS offers a modern, mobile solution to launch and grow hearing conservation programs without the need for booths, trailers, or clinic-based logistics.
“It’s my first experience with hearing testing,” says Zach Yauman, Technical Sales SME at Martin. “But thanks to WAHTS, we’ve been able to hit the ground running.”
Breaking the Booth Model – Making Testing Easy for Industrial Clients
Before WAHTS, many of Martin’s industrial clients relied on traditional booth-based audiometry, often conducted in hot, noisy trailers parked outside their facilities. For a company like Kenworth, with over 1,000 employees at its Chillicothe, Ohio plant, that process wasn’t just outdated; it was disruptive.
“They used to have 16 people off the manufacturing line at once,” Zach explains. “Now we can test four people at a time, right in a quiet conference room on-site. No one has to walk to a parking lot or wait in a hot trailer. And they can keep their business running!”
WAHTS helps Martin deliver hearing conservation testing that’s faster, more flexible, and less intrusive, making it easier for manufacturing and industrial clients to stay compliant without slowing operations.
From Testing to Full-Service Hearing Programs
Martin Technical has now deployed WAHTS in three facilities:
- Kenworth Truck Manufacturing in Ohio – Kenworth Truck Manufacturing is a renowned American company that designs and manufactures high-quality, heavy-duty trucks for a variety of industries, known for their durability, innovation, and performance.
- Road Force – Road Force is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty trailers and equipment, specializing in durable dump trailers and custom solutions for the transportation and construction industries, in partnership with Kenworth.
- Saint-Gobain in Portage, Wisconsin – Saint-Gobain is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of building materials, providing sustainable solutions for the construction, automotive, and industrial sectors.
The goal is to incorporate hearing testing into Martin’s broader range of industrial safety consulting services, providing clients with comprehensive solutions that cover hazard identification, testing, and compliance documentation.
“We don’t just show up to test,” says Zach. “We perform the tests under the supervision of our audiologist, analyze the data, and build OSHA-ready reports for every client.”
That audiologist is Dr. Sarah Mouser, founder of Occupational Sound Solutions, which partners with WAHTS Hearing to provide comprehensive hearing conservation services and direct data transfer. Through this collaboration, Dr. Mouser reviews results in real time, flags anomalies for follow-up, and ensures OSHA-compliant documentation is delivered quickly and accurately.
Operational Wins: Remote Testing and Real-Time Reporting
One standout feature of WAHTS is its ability to operate fully remotely. While Zach currently travels to client sites, future plans include remote facilitation via Zoom, with on-site personnel assisting while Martin manages the tests off-site.
“We can send the tablets ahead, monitor the sessions remotely, and guide on-site contacts through setup. I can control everything from my office,” Zach explains.
The system’s easy-to-use interface and real-time data transfer also make the post-test process more efficient. “All the data uploads from the tablets with a click,” Zach notes. “Then we send it to Dr. Sarah for review, and the reports come back quickly. It’s slick and simple.”
Even workers appreciated the experience: “They all said the same thing—it was way better than going to a hot, noisy trailer. Easier, quicker, more comfortable.”
Martin also credits the WAHTS support team for helping to smooth the launch. “We had a few minor glitches at first,” Zach says, “but working with the support team at WAHTS made it easy to get everything syncing and running. They were super responsive.”
Lessons Learned in the Field
One key takeaway? The importance of training and real-time quality control. Early on, some test results showed anomalies—but nothing major, just enough to require retesting. With guidance from Dr. Mouser, Martin improved its process to identify patterns and catch questionable results on-site, reducing retests and boosting efficiency.
The system’s intuitive design also simplified internal training. “The system is really straightforward,” Zach says. “It didn’t take long at all to get our team up to speed. That ease of use has helped Martin expand the service without requiring advanced technical skills on each job site.
A Scalable Safety Service for Industrial Clients
What started as a one-time contract with Kenworth has already developed into a recurring annual program. With WAHTS’s remote testing capabilities, Martin is well-positioned to expand its mobile hearing conservation services across the country, reaching industries such as:
– Automotive and heavy manufacturing
– Food and beverage processing
– Warehousing and logistics
– Construction and energy
“We’re pushing this to all of our industrial clients now,” Zach says. “Anywhere with high noise exposure—this solution makes sense.”
Why WAHTS Works for Martin Technical
For Martin, WAHTS isn’t just a product; it’s a platform for scalable, technician-led hearing conservation. It eliminates the need for expensive sound booths, enables remote deployment, and provides high-quality data that meets OSHA standards.
“It’s just a super slick system,” says Zach. “I wouldn’t want to use anything else.”
About Martin Technical
Martin Technical, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in industrial safety services, providing expertise in arc flash analysis, lockout/tagout compliance, safety training, and now, mobile hearing conservation. Serving a diverse range of industries, from manufacturing and energy to warehousing and food processing, Martin assists companies in meeting OSHA requirements while creating safer, more efficient workplaces.