Is your washing machine louder than the police allow?
Just how loud is your vacuum cleaner, anyway? While many sources of noise are monitored in the workplace and in public spaces, one area is often overlooked: your own home. But be careful: Some household appliances produce deafening noise. Learn more about it!
The noise level at which our ears can be damaged is well known. Accordingly, labor law, for example, stipulates that employees must be provided with hearing protection when noise levels reach 80 decibels or higher. If noise levels exceed 85 decibels, wearing appropriate hearing protection is even required by law. Legislators also frequently ensure that noise levels remain low in public spaces. For example, unnecessarily loud motorcycles or cars can be taken off the road by the police.
But aside from specialized equipment like leaf blowers or jackhammers, one area is often criminally neglected: the home. Perhaps you’ve also wondered whether the coffee maker really has to be that loud when grinding the beans for your fresh espresso or cappuccino? Or why you have to leave the bathroom every time your somewhat aging washing machine switches to the spin cycle?
How loud are vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, and the like?
SWR took a closer look at this phenomenon and found that many household appliances reach the noise level of a truck. They produce downright deafening noise—right inside your own home. Specifically, the following examples were collected:
- An older vacuum cleaner, for example, can reach up to 90 decibels. It wasn’t until 2017 that an upper limit of 80 decibels was mandated—a limit that all current models comply with.
- Electric coffee grinders typically reach about 80 decibels. That can really be a strain on your ears first thing in the morning—and for people with tinnitus, the sound of fresh beans being ground can feel even louder.
- The Thermomix, a true all-rounder, is considered the loudest appliance. Depending on the model, it ranges from 80 to over 90 decibels.
Overall, of course, the following applies to all examples: Since vacuum cleaners, coffee grinders, and Thermomixes usually run for only a short time, there is no risk of acute hearing
damage. Nevertheless, it’s certainly worth keeping an eye out for avoidable sources of noise in your own home.
Buying Tips: Choosing the Right-Sized Appliance
- Run loud household appliances for as short a time as possible.
- Don’t necessarily sit right next to appliances that run automatically, such as a washing machine—it’s better to leave the room.
- Use soundproofing materials such as felt pads or suitable foam.
- Pay attention to the noise level when purchasing an appliance.
- If necessary, replace old, noisy appliances with new, quieter ones.
Use any existing speed or volume controls.
If you feel like your household appliances are getting louder and louder, it could also be because your ears are becoming more sensitive to noise. You can find an ENT doctor near you here.
