EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Attendant Number Of Acft Qualified On 2; Flight Attendant Total 17.5; Flight Attendant Type 100
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors
EMB 145 aircraft were originally equipped with acoustical curtains to keep Flight Attendant (FA) seat area quieter and warmer due to the position of FA seat next to Main Cabin Door (MCD). The curtains were removed many years ago or became worn and not replaced. As the planes have aged the door seals are worn and a loud squealing noise is a common everyday occurrence on each flight; some worse than others. I am a former flight attendant with severe ear damage due to flying on EMB 145's for close to 18 years.On this particular flight the noise from doors was so loud passengers in seats 1A and 5C were holding their hands over their ears and the noise was still extremely loud 19 rows away from MCD and GSD. This applies to most of the EMB 145 fleet and many flight attendants have had Eustachian tube dysfunction and have had FMLA for the issue. Some have Tinnitus or constant ringing in ears which is not curable by surgery or hearing aids.
Retired EMB145 Flight Attendant reported hearing loss due to poor main cabin door seals and years of flying these aircraft. The aircraft were delivered with acoustic curtains to separate the Flight Attendant jump seat from the main cabin door but have disappeared over the years and have not been replaced.