When it comes to hearing conservation, logistical issues often hinder compliance. That’s a challenge Shayne Hill and her team at the Tennessee Valley Training Center (TVTC) were all too familiar with. Located in Decatur, Alabama, TVTC provides safety training and occupational health services to some of the South’s largest industrial employers, including chemical plants, power plants, and refineries.
For years, hearing testing followed the same tedious routine: moving workers into a single mobile booth, often stationed in a noisy lot or trailer yard. It was slow, inconvenient, and didn’t provide the kind of experience Shayne or her clients believed was possible.
Everything changed after Shayne took an audiometric training course through OMI. There, she learned about WAHTS from an instructor who had formerly worked for the Department of Defense. He introduced her to the system and strongly encouraged her to consider it.
“We started with one unit and were instantly impressed. Now we have five,” says Shayne, Director of Occupational Services at TVTC. “Three are in Decatur and two are at another office. It’s allowed us to grow a part of our business we couldn’t offer before.”
From Limitations to Flexibility
WAHTS, short for Wireless Automated Hearing Test System, is a portable, boothless audiometry solution designed for real-world environments. No trailer. No dedicated technician. No soundproof booth. Just a self-guided, mobile system with high passive attenuation, intuitive software and seamless data management.
For TVTC, it meant flexibility, freedom from bulky equipment and the ability to meet clients where they are.
“We’re now able to do testing in cafeterias, training rooms and even break areas,” says Occupational Services Technician Sandi Bowen. “Places that would have been impossible with a traditional booth.”
A Fleet That Moves with Purpose
TVTC expanded its WAHTS investment to a five-unit fleet, deploying three at its central Decatur facility and two more at a satellite location. Group mode functionality allows them to test up to three employees at once, and with the WAHTS administrative pad, staff can monitor every session in real-time.
“Where we used to test one person every 15 minutes, now we can test three at a time,” says Shayne. “It completely changed how we plan our onsite days.”
This mobility has also opened doors to clients far beyond their usual geographic area. Earlier this year, TVTC traveled from Alabama to Maryland for a full week of onsite testing.
“We just load up the gear in a few cases,” Sandi says. “No van, no trailer, no special hookups. It’s as mobile as we need it to be.”
Simple to Use, Easy to Scale
WAHTS is designed with simplicity in mind. For TVTC, that’s meant empowering staff beyond audiologists to run tests effectively.
“Shayne and I learned it ourselves, and we’ve trained others easily,” says Sandi. “It’s incredibly user-friendly.”
Consistency is essential across all TVTC locations. Shayne ensures that each technician follows the same procedures, so that a client visiting Decatur receives the same standardized, OSHA-compliant experience as one in Memphis.
Better Experience, Better Outcomes
WAHTS’s high passive attenuation has received praise from clients.
“We had a retirement party going on in the next room during a test,” Sandi recalls, “and not one person inside noticed. The headsets blocked everything out.”
Clients also favor the WAHTS experience over the traditional mobile clinic model.
“They say it’s quieter and more comfortable, and they appreciate the speed,” says Shayne.
“The WAHTS system eliminates the need for a booth. And I get people who are doing the audiograms all the time telling me the headsets are much quieter than what they used—and even quieter than being in a booth.”
— Sandi Bowen, Occupational Services Technician
From Testing to Total Compliance
Beyond testing, TVTC assists clients with documentation, OSHA reports, and audiologist-reviewed results.
“We handle everything,” says Sandi. “We send the files to the audiologist, get reports back and archive everything on our server. It’s fast and easy.”
Looking Ahead
TVTC has also begun exploring WAHTS’s fit testing features for hearing protection.
“I’ve tested it on myself,” Sandi says. “We haven’t rolled it out to clients yet, but it’s accurate and useful, especially for older workers or those who’ve already experienced hearing loss.” Fit testing is an excellent educational tool that can help preserve hearing acuity for both normal hearing listeners and those who have already experienced hearing loss.
As WAHTS technology evolves, Shayne and her team see new opportunities ahead. They’re looking to serve more clients, reduce testing downtime and improve worker safety across a broader region.
“This is where hearing conservation is headed,” says Shayne. “Mobile, flexible and efficient.”
From job sites to conference rooms, WAHTS helps organizations like TVTC deliver high-quality care where it’s needed most.
See WAHTS in action at this video they produced!