Ultrasonic cleaning with kirmuss and loss of high frequency details.

@lewm

My Elmasonic is specced at < 105dB at 1 meter, with the cover on; that’s one hell of a lot of sound power in an enclosed space. And of course the cover is not on when cleaning vinyl.

It would depend on the middle ears’ being able to transmit US frequencies, something of which Tim Paravincini seems quite sure - he designs for it. I see no reason to doubt it - whether there are hair cells to vibrate at that frequency or not (and so initiate the sensation of hearing), the energy may still be there in the semi-circular canals, breaking hair cells and permanently damaging hearing.

So I use protection. Just in case.

I have the Klaudio cleaner and have had no problem with loss of HF. The machine itself is a little noisy, but Klaudio makes a noise reduction cabinet for it which works quite well.

Terry, "105db" at what frequencies?  This issue of hearing damage from US RCMs makes me realize that I am not sure what part of the physiologic chain that results in "hearing" is damaged by prolonged exposure to high SPL in the audible range.  Could be at the tympanic membrane or at the hair cells.  Do you mean to say that your machine makes a lot of noise in the audible range while generating UHF (which you cannot hear) that actually does the cleaning?  I could imagine that is possible.  The 2 or 3 different US machines that I have been around were not dead silent but they didn't seem to be dangerous with no ear protection.

I just Googled.  There is a whole Wiki article on this subject.  Seems the damage is manifested at the hair cells in otherwise young healthy persons.

I use Bose noise cancelling headphones when I do cleaning. The vac machine and the US machine are both very irritating and noisy