Hand Drying Machine Noise Could Be Damaging Kids’ Ears, 13-Year-Old Scientist Says in a Study
Have you ever considered the ill-effects of hand-dryers? A 13-year-old did. In a new study, published in the journal Paediatrics and Child Health, the ill-effects of hand-dryers on hearing of kids is discussed and it is worrisome. The study reveals that the hand-drying machine actually produces noises that could harm the hearing of kids.
We've all seen hand-dryers in public washrooms, easy-peasy way to dry hands and best friend of people want their hands squeaky clean, however, have you ever considered the ill-effects of hand-dryers? A 13-year-old did. In a new study, published in the journal Paediatrics and Child Health, the ill-effects of hand-dryers on hearing of kids is discussed and it is worrisome. The study reveals that the hand-drying machine actually produces noises that could harm the hearing of kids. The finding comes from the efforts of a 13-year-old girl from Calgary, Canada. Nora Keegan who started studying hand dryers in 2015 and collected data through 2017 from more than 40 public washrooms across the province of Alberta. She used a professional decibel meter to measure the volume of hand dryers from different heights and distances. "Hand dryers are actually really, really loud, and especially at children's heights since they're close to where the air comes out," Keegan said. She added children have more sensitive ears than adults. Children who say hand dryers ‘hurt my ears’ are correct: A real-world study examining the loudness of automated hand dryers in public places Using Earphones All Day? You Will Need Hearing Aid Soon, Warn Experts.
She also mentioned in her study about the ill-effects of loud hearing and why it is important to protect human ears from loud constant noises. She says in the conclusion of her study that, "Protecting human hearing is important to prevent hearing disability and learning difficulties. It is particularly important to protect children from loud noises as their ears are more sensitive to damage from loud noises than adults."
The study further said that, "The louder a sound, the shorter exposure is needed for hearing damage to occur. As well, sudden loud noises (such as with a hand dryer) pose a greater risk than gradually increasing noise because there is no time for the facial nerve to protect the ear by ‘dampening’ the ear ossicles (bones that transmit sound within the ear)."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2019 06:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).