{"id":13856,"date":"2017-05-22T11:02:40","date_gmt":"2017-05-22T10:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.audiologist.co.uk\/?p=13856"},"modified":"2017-05-22T11:02:40","modified_gmt":"2017-05-22T10:02:40","slug":"call-to-ban-washroom-hand-dryers-say-the-deaf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.audiologist.co.uk\/call-to-ban-washroom-hand-dryers-say-the-deaf\/","title":{"rendered":"Call to ban washroom hand dryers say the deaf"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public bathroom hand driers \u201care as loud as pneumatic drills\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

High-powered electric hand driers in public toilets are as loud as pneumatic drills and could cause lasting damage to vulnerable people\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n

The warning comes from a national hearing aid company which says that newer, more powerful driers are exceptionally loud, especially in the enclosed space of a public convenience.<\/p>\n

In fact, Audiologist.co.uk says that if you\u2019re worried about your hearing in any way, you should consider drying your hands with a towel.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s not beat about the bush here,\u201d says Audiologist.co.uk spokesperson Jonathan Ratcliffe, \u201cYou\u2019re standing for up to a minute in front of a machine that is making as much noise as a construction worker drilling a hole in the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only difference between him and you is that he\u2019s been issued with ear defenders.\u201d<\/p>\n

While periodic exposure to loud hand driers may have little effect on healthy people, those with compromised hearing, the very young and the elderly could be at risk.<\/p>\n

The figures need some explaining, but are relatively easy to understand:<\/p>\n

\u2022 The generally accepted maximum safe sound level is 85dB.
\n\u2022 Pneumatic drills come in at 90dB and more, as do some models of electric hand drier in public conveniences
\n\u2022 Normal conversation is 60dB
\n\u2022 The decibel scale is logarithmic not linear, which means every 10dB increase doubles the sound level, meaning a hand drier is 8 times louder (and not 1.5 times louder) than normal conversation.<\/p>\n

The risk from noisy hand driers is increased by their unique positioning, Ratcliffe points out.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost toilets are small enclosed spaces which are all tiles, stainless steel and mirrors,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat means any sound is likely to be amplified, and the pressure on the ear drums increased.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne would say it would almost be reckless to position loud machinery in an enclosed space.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s even worse for children, with a typical machine being at the same height as their head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey literally are getting it full blast,\u201d Ratcliffe says.<\/p>\n

In a busy toilet area, such as a railway station or motorway service area, multiple blowers could be running continuously, increasing hearing risks further.<\/p>\n

This also means employers should also factor in the hearing risk to attendants and cleaners as much as they would for other health factors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cumulative effect of working in an enclosed space with noisy machinery is well documented,\u201d says Ratcliffe, \u201cand it applies as much to toilet attendants as it does factory workers.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a fortune to be made by the inventor of the quiet high-powered bathroom blower, Audiologist.co.uk predicts.<\/p>\n

And what if the hand drier is your only option and there\u2019s not a towel to be seen, Ratcliffe asks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen do as men have done since time immemorial \u2013 that\u2019s what the backs of your trouser legs are for. We know it\u2019s filthy \u2013 but what can you do?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Public bathroom hand driers \u201care as loud as pneumatic drills\u201d High-powered electric hand driers in public toilets are as loud as pneumatic drills and could cause lasting damage to vulnerable people\u2019s hearing. The warning comes …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":13857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"geo":null,"yoast_head":"\nCall to ban washroom hand dryers say the deaf - Audiologist.co.uk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Call to ban washroom hand dryers say the deaf - News - Call to ban washroom hand dryers say the deaf - Find out more about hearing loss and hearing aids\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.audiologist.co.uk\/call-to-ban-washroom-hand-dryers-say-the-deaf\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Call to ban washroom hand dryers say the deaf - Audiologist.co.uk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Call to ban washroom hand dryers say the deaf - 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