Baby hates hand dryer / hoover noises

[charcb]

Hi team. Baby gets very upset by hoover or hand drier noises. Whilst I can control the hoover noise I can’t usually control the hand drier noise which is in bathrooms where he gets his nappy changed. Today we were out and I was midway through nappy changing when someone turned the hand drier on and he just wouldn’t calm down. It was really difficult for me to finish changing him. I hastily put a new nappy on and his trousers and we left. I had to walk home with a huge urge to pee as I couldn’t use the toilet because I knew he’d melt down. 😞 i was very distressed after the experience as he shouted the place down. I even had to ask the next lady please not to use it because I knew I’d never calm him down otherwise. He continued being grumpy / unsettled until we went out of the building.

I try to pick changing rooms which are closed to the rest of the bathroom (and carry a towel to dry my hands) but sometimes it isn’t possible. anyone have any tips on how to get them used to loud noises?

Generally they grow out of it, but until then get some ear defenders and pop them on him when you go into that bathroom.

Most children dislike them tbh pretty normal, I try to use the accessible toilets where possible

It’s really common, they do grow out of it.

My 5 year old still doesn’t like hand dryers op!

Hi OP, we had the same. DH's trick was to find and turn off the isolation switch on his way in, turning it on again as he left

My LG was exactly the same. It developed into him freaking out Oliver every loud sound which was a nightmare! Turns out he had glue ear and aloe improved once he has his grommets fitted. Although he's now 4 and we still use disabled toilets/baby changing where we can because the hand dryer is still a major issue for him. I'm not in anyway suggesting your baby has glue ear, because it's so common and normal but just something to look out for

Buy ear defenders to wear until you get his ears checked out at g p

As PP, it's really normal. My three year old still doesn't like them.

Thanks everyone! Glad to know we are not the only ones with this but sad to hear it goes on for several years! 🙁

@november90 what's glue ear? I'll Google that.

Glue ear is where babies young children's inner ear canal channels are quite tiny still and fill up with fluid to give temporary hearing loss. You'll notice that they won't respond to some sounds as they grow. But it can make sudden loud noises disturbing to little ones as distorts sound. It usually goes away on its own I think. My eldest had it and by time he was 6 or 7 he had outpatients grommets fitted which helped as he had noticeable hearing loss when younger although was a very chatty boy (but LOUD!)

My 4 year old still hates hand dryers. Is slightly better with the hoover. I can remember being the same as a child, I must’ve outgrown it at some point! He often wears ear defenders at home if we have to vacuum when he’s about.

I think DS1 improved when he was about 6/7.... it took a LONG time...!!!

DD would cry as a baby at loud noises like hand dryers - she’s still scared of them now at nearly 2.

However, I would have still gone for a wee and I wouldn’t have asked someone not to use it. It’s not something so regular that it will cause any harm, and like other have said they will grow out of it eventually. I would have had a wee, then comforted him.

Also, if he catches on that you’re trying to prevent or your sympathising it as he grows you’re only going to teach him that it’s something to be scared of, then it will take longer and his fear will grow instead.

Makes me sound like a mean mummy 😂

My sons experience of glue ear was recurring and I mean RECURRING ear infections and a speech delay! His grommets have now fallen out and he was seen in jab with flat pressure readings in his ears but due to Covid he hasn't been seen since :(

Poor sweetie. It is absolutely normal and something to do with the sound frequency hurting their ears. I forget the specifics, it was some time ago i read the piece.

Ear defenders (or a towel wrapped and put around his head gently covering his ears) use the individual baby change where possible and general avoidance was the only things which worked for us. I used to take DD out while DH hoovered. Don't be shy about saying to people it hurts and distresses baby, most are quite understanding.

They do grow out of it but it's a just ride it out mostly.

Another one that used to go in and turn the hand dryer off.

It’s a nightmare isn’t it. My daughter is 2.5 and now potty trained so I feel bad using accessible toilet as I don’t need the baby change nor the pram space anymore, but hand driers really upset her. However she can now talk so generally walks in to public loos saying ‘no hand dryer mummy I don’t like it’ and I reply ‘I know darling, we won’t use the hand dryer’. 9 times out of 10 this is enough to stop other people using it 😂 if they do I cover my hands over her ears while she howls. The worst are the stupid ones which do the cycle of water, soap, dry all off one button as you can’t control the dryer starting and she needs to wash her hands. Grrrr.

Thanks all! A lot of tips and advice. Specially knowing I'm not the only one with this issue is comforting!

8yo still hates noisy handryers.

I have a theory that the young men who designed them didn't care one jot that they are actually really really loud.

I have asked the odd person not to use it to head off a meltdown. Or I put my hands over her ears
Now she just legs it after washing hands