Extremely Loud Hand Dryers Cause Problems

[Dog Lover]

Ok, I've got a weird thing that maybe I can get some input on. At work, they decided in order to "save money" they would install hand dryers vs paper towels in the rest rooms. Well, not only did they get hand dryers, they got SUPER DUPER hand dryers, aka jet engines. These things are strong and LOUD, and when you get 2 of them going at the same time, it's awful.

It bothers my ears something fierce. I have resorted to wearing some cheap ear plugs when I use the rest room in, but this is getting to be a pain. If I forget to grab them I either have to plug my ears while they are running or else the tinitus really increases.  I know of one person who has complained that these things are too loud, and was poo poo'd.

Any suggestions?

Cathy

[sgerrard]

All of my ideas involve some sort of sabotage.

Steve

[Kaybo]

"poo - poo'd"  was that on purpose??

K

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

The sensitivity of dryers is part of the "hyperacusus" issue that some of us got from this whole AN treatment stuff.

I have flesh toned earplugs that I carry with me at all times. I order these through the hyperacusus network.

I cannot change the dryers that exist in many restrooms but I can control how much sound goes in to my ear. Before I go to a public restroom I always put in my earplugs/ filters. (I carry a bunch of color coded earplugs in my pocket at all times)

Here is where I got my flesh tone ones.

This is the group
http://www.hyperacusis.net/hyperacusis/what+is+hyperacusis/default.asp
This is the page that I ordered the flesh tone ear plugs from
http://www.hyperacusis.net/hyperacusis/helpful+products/default.asp

I have to wear plugs when I vacuum, blow dry my hair, or in a non-carpeted room with low men's voices (that resonate). I will always have to vacuum, style my hair and be men will always have low voices. So I just find coping tools...

DHM

[CHD63]

Oooooooh, I can identify.  I keep a pair of sound earmuffs handy for use at home when blending, vacuuming, etc.  It really would be a major hassle to keep earplugs available and ready ..... especially when we often do not know or expect a loud sound.  But then, crinkling chip bags, clanging dishes, etc. do not bother normal people either!  Sometimes it just wears me out!

DHM, thanks to the links to the hyperacusis site ..... very interesting.

Clarice

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

Clarice,

Oh you are welcome. Chip bags crickle ...oy ya ya. My kids are clanging the dishes as I type here ... Husband is humming with his low resonating voice. I am wearing ear plugs here, at my laptop, as I type ... My family has NO IDEA WHAT this is like. I am glad you folks understand me. I am not alone in the noisy world...  after all.

DHM

[moe]

Yep, ear plugs are my best friend. Or I just plug my good ear in public. I don't care what people think at this point!
I can't afford the tinnitus to worsen worse than it already is
Maureen

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

This is EXACTLY what I have!  Do you get the foam or the silicone ear plugs.  Thanks again for the link.  I know you've posted this before somewhere.

Cheri

I wear the foam- the silicone ones only in the shower and at the pool. The foam ones I just "place" in the ear without really inserting and pretty much wear these in public buildings with air systems... When I know I am going to combat a public restroom hand dryer (or someone is munching on a bag of chips) I inset the plug all the way in before hand (Which makes me almost completely deaf).
If I am at a recital or a concert I actually insert a neon FOAM orange plug as then I can hear yet filter the bass tones better... Often the audience is in the dark so know one sees it- unless there is a black light scene for special affects... then the neon plug screams "Looky here at the weird lady with the glow in the dark earplug!!"  (My youngest was a "WHO from WHoosville" in Suessical the Musical- she spotted the neon orange earplug in the audience from the stage... too funny  )

DHM

[Debbi]

I've been resisting (euphemism for procrastinating!) getting an ear plug, but am looking into a musician's ear plug which supposedly only blocks the higher decibels.  I am more sensitive to high pitches noise, so that might do the trick for me.  Meanwhile, I just keep one finger ready to jam into my ear at all times!   

Debbi

[Dog Lover]

Interesting. Really, the dryers are about the only sound that really bother me anymore. I've even been to a venue with a live band and that didn't really bother me. I continually push myself, so I wonder if I just need to push myself with these dang things, although I wonder if they are loud enough to damage hearing. lord knows I don't want to damage what I have left!

Cathy

[Sue Vogel]

Hi Cathy,  I encountered one of those dryers last week in Minnesota.  I had to leave the bathroom!  It was so loud it actually caused pain in my good ear.  You're not alone.

SUE