Noise ControlNoise Control Noise is any unwanted sound because it distracts, disturbs, and invades our privacy. It also affects our performance, behavior, hearing, and increases stress levels. Kitchen appliances, audio and video equipment, computers, power tools and similar motor-driven devices add to the home's noise level. Most people want their home to be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of daily life, a refuge and quiet place of retreat from the noise of the world. But all too often they find the very place they expected to be a quiet place of retreat is itself filled with noise. So if your home is noisy, what can you do about it? Actually, there is quite a lot you can do, beginning with preventing and/or keeping out noise to start with, or if that's not possible, then dealing with existing noise by either controlling it, reducing it, masking it, or isolating yourself and your ears from it. To begin with, you need to understand a little about the types and sources of noises you may encounter in the home. Sources of noise Some neighborhoods are noisier than others, especially if there are a lot of children who play outside, or people coming and going at all hours. Noises from outside your home can come from quite a variety of different sources. They can include street noises, such as from passing traffic. If you live near an entertainment district, you might hear spillover noises from clubs or concerts. Aircraft flying overhead create noise for those near an airport or frequently used flight paths. Those living near train tracks know how noisy trains can be, and the piercing whistle of a passing train will likely wake up even the soundest sleeper. Street or building construction brings its own noise in the form of rumbling heavy equipment and workers wielding hammers and power tools. Those who live in shared dwelling units are often subject to the noise of neighbors. However, even those who live in detached single-family homes can be subject to neighbor's parties, garage bands, or outdoor power equipment including lawn mowers, garden tillers or leaf blowers. Wherever you reside, you hear noise. Kitchens are especially noisy with clattering dishes, pots and pans, as well as dishwashers, mixers, and food processors. A vacuum cleaner, a blaring TV, blenders, hair dryers, noisy toys, computer equipment, radios and stereos can add to the din. Plumbing pipes can clank and rattle such that even a simple shower can be a noisy affair, while air conditioners and fans can whirr and hum loudly.
However, within all this huge variety of sources, there are really only two basic types of noise. 1. Airborne noises are those in which the sound waves travel through the air. They originate from a source and travel outward in all directions. If they strike a hard surface, they are reflected back, and will continue bouncing until their energy is dissipated. Reflected noises often originate within the home and then are reflected from surfaces throughout. Transmitted noises come in through openings either between rooms or areas in the home, or from the outside, and then are reflected from surfaces within. 2. Structure-borne noises are those that are transmitted via vibration through physical structures, such as your walls or ceilings or pipes. Internal structure-borne noises can originate from such sources as plumbing pipes, or baseboard heaters, or furnace ducts, while the vibration from your neighbor's stereo, or heavy-footed pacing, or the construction machinery across the street are external sources which are partly airborne, but also cause your structure to vibrate, intensifying the sound.
Obviously, the foundation of noise control in the home is prevention, which should start before you ever buy or rent a place to live. So first of all, study a potential home and neighborhood with an eye to possible noise sources. Be sure to visit the area at different times of day and night to see whether there is a difference in activity levels or vehicle traffic. Stand on a street corner and listen for traffic sounds. Drive around the neighborhood and look for train tracks. Ask current residents about trains and airplanes, or noisy neighbors or parties. Inside the dwelling, turn faucets on and off, and talk both softly and loudly to see if there are any echoes. Be aware of noises and, if a potential home is too loud, keep looking if you can. If you are going to be building a new house, there is a lot you can do before and during its construction to help insulate you and your family against any existing or potential noise problems. Most importantly, ask questions and talk to the builder about noise prevention techniques such as: - Using a plan that has hallways and vestibules at the front/street side of the house, with the living areas in the back. This type of design has been shown to result in much quieter living areas. Not all builders offer these options upfront or as a matter of course. However, if you ask about them most builders will be willing and able to incorporate at least some if not all of them into your home, although there might be an additional cost. If you are living in a situation where the existing noise is beyond your comfort levels there are a number of possible steps you can take to reduce the amount and level of noise. First of all, consider replacing any noisy appliances or equipment you have with newer, quieter models. Many new models of dishwashers, for instance, prominently announce their noise reduction properties, as do washing machines and other equipment. Limit your exposure to high decibel levels, such as the TV or stereo, by either turning down the volume or voluntarily limiting the amount of time they're on. Take notice of when you operate your household appliances, and try to ensure you're not using them all at one time. Run the dishwasher in the morning, for instance, and wash clothes in the evening, but not at the same time the lawn mower or leaf blower is being used.
Once you're satisfied you've done all you can to control noise in your home using the above steps, there are yet other measure you can take to reduce the inevitable noise that still remains. For reducing airborne noise in general, you'll want to make use of soft, porous materials to absorb the sound instead of letting it bounce around and reflect off surfaces. Some specific suggestions are: - Either install carpeting with a thick pad if you don't have any, or replace existing carpeting with a thicker type, paying special attention to the pad. Studies have shown that homes with carpeting are significantly quieter than those without.
- Be sure to leave a space of at least two inches from the wall for any large appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, or other equipment, such as the TV or stereo, or countertop appliances like food processors or can openers.
If you've taken all these steps, and still are bothered by noise within the home, another approach to take is the use of means or devices to mask these noises. Most such methods involve not reducing, but in effect adding to the noise, but in such a way as to make it more tolerable and less of a bother. The most common methods are: - Use of white noise generators or white noise machines. Taken from the term "white light," which means light that contains all the colors of the spectrum, "white noise" is sound that contains all audible frequencies, and a white noise machine is one that makes this sound. Playing white noise has the tendency to cancel out the frequency of whatever sound it is that is annoying you. Such generators go by several names, including: sleep machines, sound conditioners, and white noise machines There are a couple of variations on this, including periodic noise generators. These machines produce a noise that is basically white noise, but with a repeating pattern that some find more soothing than steady sound. And there are variations of noise also given names of colors, including pink, azure, and violet noise, as well as some other colors. These are also randomly produced noises, but with varying densities and frequencies that might be useful in specific situations to cancel out sounds of a particular frequency. Other types of sound generators reproduce the sounds of nature, such as a waterfall, or surf at the seashore. And finally, in addition to all the noise reduction steps to take, there are a few other ways to get some relief from noise that essentially mean somehow blocking it from reaching your ears, or isolating yourself from the noise. These methods, of course, work best with airborne types of noises, as with the structure-borne ones you may still feel the vibrations, such as if your common-wall neighbor has a thumping stereo with the bass turned up. But they can still do a lot to make it more bearable. The methods for isolating yourself from noise are both low and high tech. They include: - Use of earplugs. There are many styles of earplugs available. Some are quite inexpensive and can be picked up at your local supermarket or drugstore. Others cost a bit more, but also provide more protection. Check at sporting goods stores, hunting, or motorcycle stores. You can even find some deluxe types of custom fitted earplugs at gun shows or motorcycle rallies or similar events. In our crowded, busy world the problem of noise, even in our homes, is not likely to go away. Rather, it is more likely to become an issue more often and for more people as our cities grow, and communal living becomes more commonplace. But as you can see, you need not be a passive victim of unwanted noise. There are many steps you can take to control and reduce not only noise itself, but its stressful effects on your home and your life. Begin with prevention if you can, but also make use of the many possible methods of noise reduction and noise control, masking and isolation which are available. While noise cannot be completely eliminated, careful attention to small measures can do much to reduce the noise to acceptable levels so that a home can be a quiet refuge against the noise of the world. |