Noise pollution can have adverse effects on our health. This is why sound dampening technology is an important investment and trend to look out for.
This is the regular exposure to high sound levels. Noise pollution fills the modern world to the point where we often no longer notice it. It includes street traffic, air traffic, train station traffic, and even household appliances.
The World Health Organization says that more than 8 hours of exposure to constant noise beyond 85 dB may be dangerous. Noise pollution can cause various diseases. These include hypertension, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and psychological dysfunctions.
Scientists are now working hard on better sound-dampening technologies. Given the serious harms of noise pollution, quieter everyday objects are being created. They range from airplanes to kettles.
Read on to know the 5 sound dampening technologies that are creating a quieter world.
1. Reduced Roar From Air Traffic
The noise from air traffic is a serious issue in residential areas. It can also be anxiety-inducing for some passengers. Engineers are developing ways to make planes quieter for both passengers and the people on the ground.
Modern airplanes use a honeycomb structure. This supports plane cabins’ floor and ceilings.
Yet this structure is also an effective transmitter of sound. It results in the bothersome mechanical noises you can hear in your seat.
Scientists in North Carolina created an insulator made from latex. It combats noise by directing it away when wrapped around the honeycomb structure. This keeps the mechanical noises out of the cabin.
As for airplane engines, they’re now quieter than ever. The engines fitted into modern airplanes have high bypass ratios.
The bypass ratio refers to the proportion of air entering the engine inlet yet bypasses the turbojet, exiting at low speed. This is in contrast to the hot and high-speed jet from the engine core.
A higher bypass ratio means more air avoids the turbojet and exits the engine at a lower volume and speed.
2. Home Sound Insulation Solutions
There are also a variety of sound dampening solutions for homes. They include simple DIY methods to sound-absorbing products.
Windows might be a priority for some to block out external noise. Train noise is a problem for some residential areas near tracks according to this article source.
A quick and easy way to dampen window noise is by covering windows with thick blankets. A more elegant solution would be using noise-reducing curtains.
Noise-reducing curtains are specially designed for sound reduction. They’re thick and heavy and can also serve as blackout curtains for keeping out sunlight.
Meanwhile, sound dampening window inserts are more effective albeit pricier solutions. They’re custom-made, clear-glass panels that mount to the interior of existing windows.
Some wall hangings can also reduce noise. Hard surfaces like drywall and tile can amplify sound. Covering walls with tapestries, moving pads, or thick blankets can help dampen sound.
If you have the budget, you can also add an extra layer of drywall. A 1/2 inch-thick extra layer of drywall to cover existing walls and ceilings can help quiet a room.
For added protection against noise transmission, you can use a dampening compound. This is a special sound-deadening caulk to seal that extra layer of drywall.
Installing resilient channels is also great for rooms’ sound insulation. Resilient channels are z-shaped metal strips. They go between the drywall and wall studs.
These channels are flexible and springy, creating a “decoupled wall”. This stops sound waves from passing through.
3. Quieter Cars
Drivers are now seeking more electric engines now that better fuel efficiency is the mark of a good car. Electric cars have much quieter engines than normal cars. So much so that there are concerns over pedestrians not hearing oncoming electric vehicles.
Sound reduction technologies are also seeing more automotive applications. For example, there’s Bose’s QuietComfort Road Noise Control. It’s an algorithm that reduces noise from the road using the car’s sound system.
Accelerometers on the car’s body allow the algorithm to measure noise-creating vibrations. This data is then used to calculate a sound cancellation signal. The algorithm then outputs this signal through the car’s speakers, reducing targeted noise.
Microphones are also installed inside the cabin. These track residual noise levels. The system can then adapt the control signal to optimize it for different types of roads.
Sound dampening mats and patches also help create a silent ride. They prevent vibrations on cars’ bodies and materials by converting them into heat.
4. Sound Masking Machines
These are small devices you can place on a bedside table or desk. Sound masking machines use sound technology to counter sound. They generate sound that cancels or “masks” off-putting noise.
Some sound masking machines only generate white noise. Others can generate natural sounds like rushing water, birdsong, or forest sounds.
These devices can help improve sleep. By masking distracting noise, you can drift off to sleep easier.
Sound masking machines can also help with concentration and focus. Distracting ambient noise can hinder productive flow. These devices can help reduce the distracting effects of ambient noise.
They can also help with the hearing loss people can get from noise pollution. People like musicians who are always exposed to high sound levels can suffer a ringing in the ears. While sound masking devices won’t end this ringing, they may help ease it.
5. Sound-Absorbing Roads
Roads with sound reduction technology are also under development. Even if electric cars become prevalent, they’ll still make noise when they’re speeding across the pavement.
States like Arizona and California are experimenting with what’s called “quiet pavement”. This is a smooth concrete mix or rubberized asphalt designed for sound dampening.
Sound Dampening Technologies Are Creating a Quieter World
Noise pollution is a serious problem in the modern world. It can hinder productivity and poses various health risks. Developments in sound-dampening technologies are fighting noise pollution.
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Their applications range from quieter air and street traffic to sound-absorbing pavements. Home solutions are also available to block out noise from outside. These technologies are helping create a quieter world.
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