I recently used my air compressor with a blow gun to clear dust from surfaces, applying short bursts at 35-40 psi. After doing this a couple of times within two minutes, I experienced a sudden ringing in my ears, which is similar to what I feel after exposure to loud sounds. Hours later, in a quiet environment, I noticed that my normal mild tinnitus seemed worse, though it could just be that the quiet made it more noticeable. I didn't point the blow gun directly at my head, but I was pretty close to it. I'm typically sensitive to loud noises, and I didn't think to wear earplugs while using the blow gun. Ideally, could this cause permanent hearing damage from those brief uses at 40 psi, even if it was for a maximum of 10 minutes?
2 Answers
You might just be experiencing temporary effects. It sounds like those short air bursts could indeed cause ringing or mild tinnitus, especially if you're already sensitive to loud sounds. I work in a shop where I use ear protection, and that echo in a closed space can really amplify noise. Wait a bit and see how it feels!
It's definitely possible for bursts of high-pressure air to cause hearing damage, especially since your friend experienced hearing loss due to similar circumstances. Even if the blow gun felt fine to use without protection, the pressure and noise can generate harmful sounds.
Yeah, being outside helps! I wouldn't worry too much if you're not using it permanently.