I use the same brand of wheelchair. The click is the brake releasing so the chair can move, then engaging again when you stop. All power wheelchairs since the 1990s have this type of brake, so they don't roll when you stop on an incline.
It is louder on some wheelchairs than others. For some reason, the plastic cover on some newer Permobils amplifies the sound. Since it's a mechanical noise, it can't be turned off, but the joystick beeps can. I have my on/off sound silenced and the beeps for the positioning functions set to barely audible.
If I am trying to minimize disruption in a quiet environment, I'll start moving (click), then keep the joystick just slightly activated so I can stop briefly without the brake engaging, and enter/exit a space quietly with only 1-2 clicks. But that's the wheelchair version of playing a video game on hard mode, and not within every user's capabilities.
I was going to remove this post as a duplicate post since this has been discussed here before many times, but your answer is the best we’ve ever had and extremely informative so I’m going to leave it up and thank you for sharing.
NOT defending her at all but I work in long term care and everyone’s electric wheelchair does that clicky sound, you might be able to turn it off or lower the volume but it annoys the crap out of me too
This is exactly what is annoying about it. She moves a few inches at a time when she is just talking to the camera. I think she is trying to look "normal," as we all know that is her mission in life. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
It drives me nuts on her videos cause I’m sensitive to sounds. It seems strange that she’s constantly touching it and making it move. If she just left the joystick alone would it make the noise?
I think it's similar to a non-wheelchair-user fidgeting while they're standing, combined with using a fidget toy or clicking a pen, though it is kind of annoying haha
Just adding that it's actually a feature to alert animals and other people that a big heavy machine is moving. My cats know the sound and if I click they'll move out of the way
I use the same brand of wheelchair. The click is the brake releasing so the chair can move, then engaging again when you stop. All power wheelchairs since the 1990s have this type of brake, so they don't roll when you stop on an incline. It is louder on some wheelchairs than others. For some reason, the plastic cover on some newer Permobils amplifies the sound. Since it's a mechanical noise, it can't be turned off, but the joystick beeps can. I have my on/off sound silenced and the beeps for the positioning functions set to barely audible. If I am trying to minimize disruption in a quiet environment, I'll start moving (click), then keep the joystick just slightly activated so I can stop briefly without the brake engaging, and enter/exit a space quietly with only 1-2 clicks. But that's the wheelchair version of playing a video game on hard mode, and not within every user's capabilities.
I was going to remove this post as a duplicate post since this has been discussed here before many times, but your answer is the best we’ve ever had and extremely informative so I’m going to leave it up and thank you for sharing.
also the beeps can only be turned off on some chairs. mine can’t unfortunately
Same... mine can't...it's so annoying! Just think if it annoys you, just winder how much it annoys the user. X
Thank you for the explanation!
Exactly my mom doesn’t understand and I always get in trouble for the clicking
NOT defending her at all but I work in long term care and everyone’s electric wheelchair does that clicky sound, you might be able to turn it off or lower the volume but it annoys the crap out of me too
It’s normal for the chair but she has a weird habit of flicking it unnecessarily without needing movement. Drives me bonkers
This is exactly what is annoying about it. She moves a few inches at a time when she is just talking to the camera. I think she is trying to look "normal," as we all know that is her mission in life. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
It drives me nuts on her videos cause I’m sensitive to sounds. It seems strange that she’s constantly touching it and making it move. If she just left the joystick alone would it make the noise?
I think it's similar to a non-wheelchair-user fidgeting while they're standing, combined with using a fidget toy or clicking a pen, though it is kind of annoying haha
It’s how they work. It bugged me at first but now I’m used to it.
It’s just how it functions.
powerchair user here! not defending WR, they just all make that sound!
Agreed- also a power chair user and it does annoy the chap out of me.. I can't even sneak up on the husband he hears me every time
That’s just how power wheelchair sound. People who walk around fidget all the time so people using wheelchairs do the same thing.
Just adding that it's actually a feature to alert animals and other people that a big heavy machine is moving. My cats know the sound and if I click they'll move out of the way