Hand dryers are inherently loud and tonal devices. It is essential to achieve lower overall levels on the different modes these devices offer, either by introducing absorbent materials in the design, reshaping the air holes or by modifying the orientation of the flow so users are as screened as possible from it. In regard to tonality, there is a direct relationship between the shape of the air holes and the pitch the propelled air produces, where the thinner the hole, the higher and more focused the pitch becomes. On the other hand, wider holes allow for lower frequencies to be heard but they also expose inconsistencies within the inner processes of the device. By modifying the above elements, the right acoustic balance can be accomplished. 

Tap hand dryers allow an alternative to the typical hand dryer and can have a distinct sound quality. As they push air through a more efficient opening they can be higher in frequency and therefore less ‘intense’ sounding than typical hand dryers. Additionally, the fact that they are not typically attached directly to separating walls means they can also reduce vibration and audibility in adjacent rooms.