In a September 21, 2015 article for The Dallas Morning News, writer Thor Christensen discusses the annoying decibel levels and potential harm caused by these modern hand dryers. According to Christensen’s article, the noise produced by many of these dryers can reach 100 decibels, and the machines are a growing nuisance for millions of people with tinnitus or hyperacusis, a disorder characterized by hyper-sensitivity to noise.
Christensen reports that earlier this year, Oregon Senator Chris Edwards proposed legislation in his state to limit public hand dryers to 84 decibels because louder models are “extraordinarily obnoxious and disruptive” to people with sensory disorders, including his autistic son, who cries and covers his ears when he’s near loud hand dryers. While that proposal is still being considered, many hearing experts have weighed in on the issue, arguing that the sudden blasts of sharp, shrill noises from the high-speed dryers are more than a nuisance–they can pose problems for sensitive individuals.
Citing a recent study released by the University of Michigan and 3M Corporation’s E-A-RCAL Acoustical Laboratory, Christensen says that researchers measured the noise from several popular models at ear level. According to the study report, the Dyson Airblade AB 02 produced 90 decibels, the Xlerator emitted 97 decibels, and the Xlerator XL-BW emitted 100 decibels. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers keep their noise exposure below 85 decibels for an 8-hour shift. But at 100 decibels, NIOSH recommends less than 15 minutes exposure per day. Since nobody uses hand dryers for 15 minutes, the devices are not likely to cause permanent hearing damage, experts say, but even short exposures to loud noise can worsen tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears that is experienced by 10% of US adults, according to the National Institutes of Health.
For more details, read Christensen’s full article on The Dallas Morning News website.
Source: Thor Christensen, The Dallas Morning News
I have also an XLERATOR hand dryer in my home. it sounds deflection is: The cause of the increased dB level is because of the focused, high-velocity air stream (16,000 LFM) However, this is the patented feature that makes XLERATOR 3 times faster (i.e., 10-15 seconds).
It is about time that these horribly noisy machines were banned. I have tinnitus and hate them. Children are at risk too, see https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxz046
painful to use restrooms with excruciatingly loud hand dryers.
I can hardly tolerate the noise Xcelerator hand dryers make!
I am sensitive to loud noises and usually end up covering my ears to lessen the noise until I can exit a restroom in a hurry! If there is ever a class-action suit brought against these loud nuisances, please count me in!
I also have problems with the handdryers in public places . Toilets in restaurants, tankshop, Ikea etc. It feels like I’m standing near a airplane
I really don’t understand that it’s allowed to use things that make such a noise in small rooms with mostly tiles.
I am sitting in the waiting room at Penn station. The sound is LOUD from outside the restroom…clear from the other side of the room!!!
IT REALLY TOOK RESEARCH TO KNOW THIS?
My youngest son refuses to go into the mens’ room of a prominent dining place in town because the hand dryer is excruciatingly loud to him. The acoustics of the room (almost all tile) don’t help, I’m sure.