UniFirst First Aid + Safety and Soundtrace Partner to Modernize Workplace Hearing Protection and Reduce Hidden Costs of Hearing Loss

Rhea-AI Summary

UniFirst First Aid + Safety (NYSE:UNF) has partnered with Soundtrace to provide on-site audiometric testing services that help employers meet OSHA hearing conservation requirements. The partnership addresses the challenges of workplace hearing protection compliance, which affects millions of American workers exposed to hazardous noise levels.

The collaboration combines UniFirst's nationwide service network with Soundtrace's AI-driven technology platform to offer on-site testing during work hours, automated OSHA-compliant recordkeeping, and early detection of hearing shifts. This solution aims to prevent costly OSHA violations (up to $165,514) and workers' compensation claims that can exceed $100,000.

Positive

• Partnership expands UniFirst's service offerings in workplace safety compliance
• On-site testing service reduces administrative burden and employee downtime
• AI-powered early detection system helps prevent permanent hearing damage
• Solution helps companies avoid potential OSHA penalties of up to $165,514

Negative

• None.

ST. LOUIS and CINCINNATI, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UniFirst First Aid + Safety, a leader in first aid, and safety services, and Soundtrace, the market leader in digital hearing conservation technology, today announced a partnership to provide on-site audiometric testing services that help employers meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's hearing conservation requirements while protecting their workers from preventable hearing loss.

Why It Matters
Each year, millions of American workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels that can cause irreversible hearing loss. Under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.95, employers must implement hearing conservation programs, including annual audiometric testing for employees exposed to average noise levels of 85 decibels or more during an 8-hour shift.

For employers who already have hearing conservation programs, maintaining compliance often presents a different set of challenges: coordinating testing across multiple shifts, accommodating tight production schedules, and minimizing downtime. Traditional approaches, such as mobile testing vans, third-party clinics, or inconsistent tablet-based screenings, struggle to meet these modern operational demands. This can lead to missed tests, inefficient scheduling, increased administrative burden, and limited visibility into workforce hearing health Trends.

Even when programs are active, they often rely on static reports with little actionable information, making it difficult to detect early hearing shifts and take timely action. As a result, preventable hearing loss may go unaddressed, raising safety risks, communication issues, and employee turnover. Financially, undetected damage and OSHA violations can lead to penalties up to $165,514 and workers' comp claims exceeding $100,000.

A Smarter Solution
Through this partnership, UniFirst's First Aid & Safety team will offer white glove, on-site audiometric testing services to their customers, powered by Soundtrace's AI-driven technology platform. This service allows employers to complete OSHA-mandated annual hearing tests conveniently at their facilities, reducing administrative burden and employee time away from Work.

Key benefits include:

• Convenience: On-site testing during work hours limits downtime.
• Compliance Confidence: Automated, OSHA-compliant recordkeeping.
• Early Detection: AI-powered technology identifies shifts before they become permanent.
• Trusted Providers: Delivered by UniFirst's experienced nationwide team.

"OSHA's hearing conservation requirements are critical for worker health, but many employers struggle to complete annual testing efficiently," said David Stover. "With this partnership, we're making compliance easier than ever—bringing trusted audiometric testing directly to the jobsite."

"Our mission at Soundtrace is to prevent avoidable hearing loss," said Jeff Wilson, CEO of Soundtrace. "By combining our technology with UniFirst's service reach, we're redefining what effective, compliant hearing conservation looks like."

About UniFirst First Aid + Safety
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, UniFirst First Aid + Safety, is a subsidiary of UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF), which manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing and floorcare products, with 260 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations and 14,000 employee Team Partners. For more information, contact UniFirst First Aid + Safety at 800.869.6970 or visit www.unifirst.com/firstaid.

About Soundtrace
Soundtrace is a hearing conservation technology company helping employers protect workers from occupational hearing loss. With digital testing, predictive insights, and seamless compliance tools, Soundtrace is transforming hearing health from an annual task into a continuous safety advantage. Visit www.soundtrace.com.

Media Contact
Soundtrace, Inc.
Email: pr@soundtrace.com

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SOURCE Soundtrace Inc.

FAQ

What is the new partnership between UniFirst First Aid + Safety (NYSE:UNF) and Soundtrace?

UniFirst and Soundtrace have partnered to provide on-site audiometric testing services that help employers meet OSHA hearing conservation requirements while protecting workers from preventable hearing loss.

How does UniFirst's new hearing protection service benefit employers?

The service offers on-site testing during work hours, automated OSHA-compliant recordkeeping, AI-powered early detection of hearing shifts, and reduced administrative burden and employee downtime.

What are the potential costs of non-compliance with OSHA hearing protection requirements?

Non-compliance can result in OSHA penalties up to $165,514 and workers' compensation claims exceeding $100,000.

Who is required to implement hearing conservation programs according to OSHA?

Employers must implement hearing conservation programs, including annual audiometric testing, for employees exposed to average noise levels of 85 decibels or more during an 8-hour shift.

How does Soundtrace's AI technology enhance UniFirst's hearing protection service?

The AI-powered technology identifies hearing shifts before they become permanent and provides automated, OSHA-compliant recordkeeping for better tracking and prevention of hearing loss.