Handheld Barcode Scanner

[HanaK]

Hello friends,

I went to Target today and had to scan a giftcard at self check out with a hand held scanner. I stupidly held the scanner closer to my face because the scanner wasn't reading the card and a loud BEEP went off near my ears when it finally scanned. I had an "oh no..." moment because I already have some hearing loss and the sound was so loud that it may have caused more damage...

Am I just overly sensitive because of my hyperacusis to high pitched noises or is a scanner really loud enough to cause damage?

 

[Manny]

Hi Hana, nobody could ever tell you a million percent but I think it's nearly impossible to get any permanent damage from such a sound level.
Feel good.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I think it's nearly impossible to get any permanent damage from such a sound level.
Feel good.

Think again. My 2-year old T is a result of a sonic toothbrush touching the opening of my ear canal for a fraction of a second. A toothbrush is probably quieter than one of those scanners (but then again, in my case the distance was even less than in this case). In my experience, whenever the source of the sound was very close to my ear, it was serious (as in lasted for months). I would say that there is a 70% chance that the spike will end up not being permanent.

 

[HanaK]

Thanks guys! I'm trying to rationalize by thinking that cashiers are literally exposed to these things for 8 hour workdays... One beep shouldn't cause more hearing loss! I hope.

 

[Red]

Hi, @HanaK . I'll let you in on a lil secret...this is where I work. These types of noises I deal with a lot. I've had plenty of moments where a team member with a loud walkie walks right next to me, I forget to mute my hip scanner (max volume is very loud), or a register is much louder than anticipated, etc. While these can turn my day sour, they never have done lasting damage to me.

Here are some tips:

1. All the registers (including guest service, Starbucks, self checkout, etc) have varying volumes because they can be adjusted by the cashier. This affects the noise of the beep. I recommend never being in a hurry to checkout. You can observe which registers are quietest by observing. This usually works for other retailers too.

2. For the self checkouts, the speaker is to the left and on the handgun. Keep an arm's length away and stand to the right.

3. The electronic shopping carts sound like death. Don't hang around shoppers who use them.

 

[HanaK]

@Red wow thank you!

 

[Lane]

Am I just overly sensitive because of my hyperacusis to high pitched noises or is a scanner really loud enough to cause damage?

About the only sound that feels safe for me these days is my kitty purring.

 

[HanaK]

About the only sound that feels safe for me these days is my kitty purring.

Hahaha forreal though. every sound seems loud and harmful when your ears are already compromised!

 

[Julien87]

I always wondered Bill, how did you end up with your toothbrush tip inside your ear?

 

[Red]

Hahaha forreal though. every sound seems loud and harmful when your ears are already compromised!

You just missed a chance to make an incredible pun. It's okay my brain filled it in for you.

 

[coffee_girl]

I always wondered Bill, how did you end up with your toothbrush tip inside your ear?

He won't tell you but we all know the reasons

As for the op, the beep thing really bothers my ears a lot...i hope you make a full recovery soon.

 

[Julien87]

He told me, but that's our secret

 

[RCP1]

Hello friends,

I went to Target today and had to scan a giftcard at self check out with a hand held scanner. I stupidly held the scanner closer to my face because the scanner wasn't reading the card and a loud BEEP went off near my ears when it finally scanned. I had an "oh no..." moment because I already have some hearing loss and the sound was so loud that it may have caused more damage...

Am I just overly sensitive because of my hyperacusis to high pitched noises or is a scanner really loud enough to cause damage?

There is a minuscule chance its permanent. Put it out of your head and stop worrying.