Acoustic shrieks and thunderstorms

Unexpected loud noise from telephones, especially when using a headset, may cause acoustic shock. These unexpected loud sounds may be caused by feedback, power fluctuations, fax tones, or signalling tones.

Acoustic shock may cause various physiological and psychological effects, including but not limited to:

• temporary hearing loss
  
  
• ringing in the ears
  
  
• light headedness.

On very rare occasions acoustic shrieks may cause hearing damage, however, in most circumstances any hearing impairment is usually a temporary side effect of the shock.

If you experience any of the symptoms described above as a result of an acoustic shriek, avoid driving and consult a doctor.

How to reduce the risk of acoustic shock

To minimise the risk of acoustic shock, we recommend that you follow these steps:

• If you hear a computer or fax signal when ringing, hang up immediately and check that you've dialled the right number, or switch the call to a modem or fax machine.
  
  
• Don’t use a faulty phone when reporting faults.
  
  
• Disconnect faulty phone equipment and return it to the supplier for repair.
  
  
• Use headsets that incorporate acoustic shriek protection, which will be labelled in accordance with Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) guidelines and the Telecommunications Act 1997.
  
  
• Set your phone's volume to minimum. 

You may suffer an electric shock using your phone, fax, computer or other electrical equipment during a thunderstorm. In extreme cases this may be fatal.

If you must use your phone during a thunderstorm because of an emergency, then to reduce this risk:

• keep the call as brief as possible
  
  
• don't touch electrical appliances, metal fixtures or brick or concrete walls
  
  
• don't stand in bare feet on uncovered concrete floors.
   

Indoor phone use

When indoors, hands-free and cordless phones can be used safely if they're not touching the base unit. Mobile phones can be used as long as the phone isn't on a charger or connected to an external aerial.
 

Outdoor phone use

When you're outside in a thunderstorm, the Australian Lightning Protection Standard (AS1768) recommends you don't carry metallic objects such as umbrellas, and you remove metallic jewellery, particularly from the upper body. Similarly, Telstra recommends against using a cordless or mobile phone outdoors in an unprotected area.

However, a handheld mobile phone may be used in a metal bodied vehicle with a metallic roof, provided there are no electrical connections (charger, external aerial etc.) to the phone. It may also be used with a hands-free car kit as long as the user is not touching the phone or kit and has no electrical connection to the phone. Using a Bluetooth wireless connection is another example of safe use when in such a vehicle. Of course, always obey the road rules.
 

Computer and fax use

The Australian Lightning Protection Standard also recommends that you don't use a fax, computer, or other mains powered equipment during a thunderstorm. However, a battery powered (e.g. laptop) computer with a wireless connection may be used.
 

Protective devices

Protective devices¹ can be fitted to phone installations to reduce the risk of personal injury during thunderstorms, but due to the high voltage involved in lightning strikes complete protection can't be guaranteed.