Acoustics (AKA Sound)
Last week, we talked about thermal comfort. Now, let's delve into another aspect that people may perceive but not necessarily think about—sound.
Acoustics is all about sound and its relation to interiors. It involves using materials in a way that helps explore how sound is transmitted and how to control it by limiting sources of noise. This ensures people can have conversations without being bothered by noise, especially when trying to sleep.
Most residences aren't equipped with acoustics in mind, at least not for the interior. While there may be considerations for exterior to interior noise depending on the home's age and materials used, the interior often lacks an acoustical plan. This oversight can lead to either hearing too much of others' conversations or not being able to participate at all, depending on the layout and sound transmission quality through a space.
"Architectural acoustics address four areas of concern: room acoustics, sound isolation, mechanical equipment, and sound systems. Interior designers primarily focus on room acoustics, considering the acoustical environment within a space and the isolation of sound within and between spaces." This means that architectural design deals more with the shell of spaces, while interior design is concerned with the actual spaces in the shell and how people can hear each other, or not, depending on the intended use of the spaces.
Certain areas in a home require higher acoustical considerations, such as bathrooms, dining tables, and kitchens—often the loudest areas. Enhancing bathroom acoustics involves separating them from bedrooms with a hallway or closet, covering cracks around doors, avoiding back-to-back electrical outlets between the bathroom and a bedroom, and having well-insulated walls and non-hardening caulk around receptacles, plumbing, light fixtures, or other openings.
If noise is an issue, minimizing hard surfaces, like getting draperies or an area rug, can help. Personally, I prefer hard flooring over carpet, as while it may not be as sound-absorbent, it still contributes to reducing noise.
Depending on your home's layout, sound can differ based on your location and the number of angles present. For example, in my mom's house, the TV in the living room needs to be turned up really high, while the kitchen is super loud due to sound bouncing off walls and ceilings. Despite efforts to minimize hard surfaces, it's challenging due to the need for hard flooring. To address this, my mom uses draperies and area rugs to help manage noise levels, and when we visit, we're mindful that TV noise varies depending on our location in the house.
Acoustical comfort is crucial for mental and physical health due to hearing loss and its impact on perceiving information in a space. It also affects mental health due to physical reactions; if you're struggling to hear because it's too loud, you might get annoyed, etc.
Decibels of sound are important to consider because they show how loud the sound is around you. But more so, noticing sound and how you interact with it is just as important because it can make it challenging to think or interact with the space around you. Trying products like Loop earplugs (not affiliated) can help block out ambient sounds and manage noise levels. Understanding what noise levels are suitable for different environments and how noise affects you is essential for mental and physical health. Learning more about how your body reacts can help you understand your interactions with the world and improve your overall well-being!
Sources:
https://well.support/top-5-tips-from-the-thermal-comfort-wellography~061b0f4a-8b57-4dfa-9667-05f191c27082
Qpractice 3rd edition book pgs 56-58