There’s no doubt that vacuum cleaners have changed our lives, and these handy machines have made hours of cleaning possible in mere minutes.
Although we love them for all of the ways they’ve helped us, that doesn’t mean we can’t be annoyed by just how loud some of them can be at times.
What is it that makes vacuums so loud and is there anything we can do about it?
There are a number of factors that come into play which could be causing a noisy machine including the whirling motor, changes in air pressure, vibrations, or even a faulty vacuum cleaner. There are some solutions that could reduce the decibels a bit, or you could purchase one of the newer models aimed at lowering these noise levels.
Vacuums are complex machines with many working parts and getting an understanding of these and what causes them to be so noisy might be able to offer you relief.
Vacuuming is a part of most household chores and something we can’t live without, so making them a little less irritating could make a huge difference at home.
- 1 So how does vacuum cleaners make loud sound?
- 2 Can Vacuum Cleaners Cause Hearing Loss?
- 3 How Many Decibels of Sound Does a Vacuum Cleaner Make?
- 4 How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter
- 5 Related Questions
So how does vacuum cleaners make loud sound?
The sound of a vacuum cleaner isn’t just capable of scaring away dogs or making little kids cry, they’re actually quite loud for us adults as well.
The cause of this noise can be attributed to a few different factors, and it could be just one or a combination of both that makes them this way.
- Vibrations caused by the plastic that encases the vacuum and its chamber which began when the vacuum is turned on.
- The fan and suction power of the fan causing changes in air pressure, with higher suction vacuum cleaners usually being louder because of this.
- A loud, running motor inside of the vacuum which moves the working parts.
- Broken parts or faulty mechanisms that could cause more noise than usual.
In some cases, a loud vacuum could indicate that the machine is broken and this is usually true if you’ve noticed the decibels increasing over time.
Modern vacuums are designed with noise as a priority and most brands have attempted to decrease the sound output with various methods, but for the most part, they all remain around the same level.
Can Vacuum Cleaners Cause Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is something that can occur naturally in the human body or due to external factors in our environment, with the most prominent cause being exposure to loud sounds.
If you’ve been wondering about how much damage your vacuum might be doing to your ears and hearing, it’s possible you’ve been right to have concerns.
When our ears get damaged from loud sounds, it doesn’t necessarily have to cause any pain, which makes it hard to tell what’s actually doing damage and what isn’t.
When it comes to vacuuming, the decibel level that these machines reach could end up harming your hearing over time, but probably not from a one-off event.
According to the experts, anything with a sound of fewer than 75 decibels will usually not cause hearing loss.
This is the case with long term exposure as well, so there’s nothing to worry about if your vacuum is in this category.
Most standard household vacuums will be at this level or higher, so it’s highly possible that after repeated use of a very loud machine like this, you might be doing damage.
How Many Decibels of Sound Does a Vacuum Cleaner Make?
We can figure out how much sound something makes by measuring its decibels and for the vacuum cleaner these range between 70 and 95 decibels.
The average vacuum sits somewhere in between, but depending on the manufacturer and design of the vacuum, the noise emissions could be anywhere in that range.
Some louder vacuums are capable of reaching up to 95 decibels which could potentially lead to hearing loss.
Therefore, it’s better to shop for one that falls well under this level to stay protected.
Otherwise, wearing some form of protective gear like earplugs might be required whenever you get the hoover out to clean the house.
New models of vacuums start at around 65 decibels, so the difference is pretty dramatic.
In some parts of the world, including Europe, regulations have been put in place to ban the sale of vacuum cleaners that make noise above 80 decibels.
Above this point, there’s real potential to cause hearing loss and damage to the ears, and it usually indicates a machine that’s not energy efficient or as effective at cleaning up dust and dirt.
How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner Quieter
If you’re stuck with an old vacuum and don’t have the funds to upgrade just yet, you might be looking for some ways to make your current cleaner a little less noisy.
There are some tips you can follow how to make the vacuum cleaner quieter, so give these a try to lower the decibels.
The brush bearing can sometimes break inside of the vacuum which tends to cause more vibration when it’s being used.
Inspect the part to see if it needs replacing to lower the noise levels.
Check the Filters
If your filter needs to be cleaned or replaced it will usually start making more noise.
As they get dirty or clogged they will have to work harder to push through the air which creates a lot more sound.
Sometimes things can get lodged in the hose or other parts of the vacuum that will make a loud sound as the air tries to push past it.
Take everything apart and see what you can retrieve that might help.
A replacement fan could help reduce noise levels if it’s become broken or clogged.
Sometimes the fans collect dust and if this isn’t cleaned regularly it could break completely resulting a lot of noise.
Upgrade Your Vacuum
Once you can afford it, purchasing a modern vacuum will usually reduce the noise emissions quite a bit.
You can still find quality vacuums for around $150 that don’t make anywhere near as much noise as earlier models, so it’s definitely worth the upgrade.
There’s no doubt that vacuum cleaners have revolutionized the way we clean our homes, and we rely on these efficient machines to run their best.
Here are some commonly asked questions about vacuums and their noise levels that can help you pinpoint potential problems and get them running smoothly again.
Why Is My Vacuum Screeching?
A screeching sound coming from your vacuum can indicate a problem with the motor.
The motor pulley bearing will usually make a screeching sound when it starts to deteriorate, and it will need to be replaced completely to stop this noise.
Why Is My Vacuum Whistling?
Whistling is a common sound associated with vacuums and they usually indicate that there’s a hole somewhere in the machine where the air is passing through.
If this is happening to your vacuum, keep it turned on and investigate all of the parts to see where the leak is coming from.
Do I Have to Wear Hearing Protection When Vacuuming?
If your vacuum measures over 75 decibels in sound, it’s recommended to wear some form of protective gear for your ears.
Check with the manufacturer to get the official noise level of your vacuum, otherwise, you can wear protection as an extra precaution if you’re unsure.