Ecophon Acoustic Bulletin

Research shows teachers would prioritise acoustics way above other criteria regarding comfort in the indoor environment

2010-02-08T12:16:14Z

Last year CIOP (Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute) investigated noise problem in public primary schools in Warsaw. The main focus of this survey, initiated by Ministry of National Education, was the noise impact on school staff’s health and well-being. Important part of this research was a survey among teachers checking their awareness of noise threat. Close to 200 teachers returned filled questionnaires. Have a look at interesting results: Do you experience discomfort during work caused by …… . (% of answers “yes”): - noise 88,2% - lack of space 32,1% - bad ventilation 27,3% - bad lighting 13,9% - dustiness 3,2% ]]> here to go to related article). For 2010 CIOP plan to prepare guidelines for noise control in schools as an input to national CEHAP. This document will be dedicated to architects, school headmasters and local authorities responsible for education sector in Poland. Research report will be presented at 15th International Conference on Noise Control in Książ Castle near Wrocław, Poland, in June. To visit Noise Control webpage click here

TV commercials up to 20dB louder

2010-02-05T11:43:11Z

„Commercials cannot be louder than foregoing programs and movies and its sound cannot be frightening” – it is main statement of new television and radio advertisement regulation in Poland. This regulation was introduced by last revision committed by KRRiTV (national TV & radio market regulator) and it was done under viewers’ pressure. Their claims were officially supported by Polish ombudsman: “It seems, that sudden, irritating sound level jump caused by commercial breaks, establish viewers’ privacy violation. Mental balance (peace), disordered by noisy ads, belongs doubtless to the roll of personal rights protected by Civil Code”. Advertisers try to catch our attention by all means and year by year, TV commercials became for us more and more irritating. Annual inquires show that in 1995 35% of polish viewers were changing channel or leaving seats during commercials. In 2005 such reaction was declared by 75% frustrated TV fans. ]]> hereto read about same problem in US.

CEHAPE

2010-02-04T10:39:36Z

Healthy children have the best chances for healthy, productive lives. As citizens of today’s world – not just as future contributors to society – children have the right to health protection and promotion (United Nations, 1989). Just 5 weeks have left to the opening of Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Parma, Italy. At this event, ministers of health and environment and experts from countries that belong to WHO’s European Region will assess the progress made since last conference in Budapest. In 2004 Fourth Conference in Budapest, according to the statement on the top of this article, accepted “Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe” (CEHAPE). This plan was prepared to develop policies and actions to achieve safe environment in which children could reach highest possible level of health. ]]> here To read more about CEHAPE click here (particularly page 19) To visit WHO’s European Office webpage click here

Huge media attention in Sweden for report on sound environment

2010-01-22T15:55:25Z

Every other in Sweden is disturbed by Noise! According to a recent report, noise is a major problem at work. Almost every employee is affected, says the president of Hörselskadades (Hearing impaired) Association (HRF), who commissioned the report. "The problem with the sound environment is everywhere - even in school and at cafes for example. Luckily an increasing amount of organisations have found ways to overcome this challenging sitiuation...]]> here or contact one of the editors click hereSmart ways to master the sound environment are also discussed in the report. For offices, 17 suggestions are made: 1. Acoustic ceilings 2. Free hanging absorbing units 3. wall absorbers 4. bookshelves The report referes to a questionnaire performed by Jonas Christensson of Ecophon and mentions outcomes from the study called Acoustic ergonomics of Schools, by G. Tiesler and Markus Oberdörster

Mosque gives a remarkable acoustic response

2010-01-14T10:13:33Z

A recent recording in an mosque gives an example of the unique and remarkable acoustic characteristics which can be experienced, click here to view on youtube.

Study shows that musicians are better in distinguishing sounds in background noise

2010-01-04T14:40:20Z

Musicians, trained to hear sounds embedded in a rich network of melodies and harmonies, are primed to understand speech in a noisy background. ]]> Read more here!

Acoustic Bulletin on Linkedin

2009-12-18T14:42:38Z

Acoustic Bulletin has been available on Linkedin since 18th December 2009 Click here to join

A better sound environment made the hospital staff more satisfied

2009-12-15T07:48:33Z

At a hospital in the South of Sweden, a new meeting/lunch room was built for the staff at the emergency medical unit. When the staff used the room, they were not satisfied with the acoustics. A study was performed to evaluate how the room acoustic environment could be improved. The relatively small acoustic intervention resulted in a lower sound pressure level and better speech intelligibility. It also resulted in a big change in how the staff perceives the sound environment. ]]> Download file

World Learning Environments Conference - Acoustics, furniture and flexible spaces

2009-12-14T07:49:16Z

World Learning Environments Conference which was organised by the British Council for School Environments. One of the breakout sessions was Acoustics, furniture and flexible spaces where Emma Greenland of WSP Group and Neil Logue, Managing Director of Kilworth Studio presented approaches and advice regarding how to ensure future flexible teaching and learning spaces can accomodate; immediate, short term and long term versatility.]]> ">DCSF where Kilworth have various layouts demonstrating for example potential cluster and collaborative learning models. Neil pointed out that budgets for FF&E (furniture, fittings and equipment) are not in the contractors remit so the schools have an opportunity for more direct influence and control here. Atrium space at Halewood Centre for Learning Atrium with semi enclosed teaching spaces on upper levels Knowsley School atrium and staircase breakout areas Semi open teaching spaces Teachers movable cupboard

Work noise increases risk of hearing loss

2009-11-10T07:53:28Z

Photograph: hear it.org - nursery teachers wearing hearing protection Daily exposure to excessive noise in the workplace is the primary factor in many cases of hearing loss in the working population. For more information read more about this and a series of articles published by hear it.org regarding excessive noise for office workers, teachers, nursery teachers, dentists, classical musicians and industrial workers]]> general workplace Teaching among noisiest jobs Nursery school teachers wearing hearing protection The German office is too noisy Your dentist should be concerned with hearing as well as teeth Classical musicians at extreme risk for hearing loss Industrial workers at risk of hearing loss Hearing loss widespread among construction workers Hearing loss causing difficulty at work; Workers with untreated mild or moderate hearing loss suffer from psychological and social problems in the workplace

One in three school-children with hearing problems

2009-11-09T14:38:36Z

Photograph:hear it.org According to a recent study published by hear it.org, as many as 35 percent of school-children in Argentina suffer from hearing damage. ]]> click here

Interesting facts and good advice about hearing impairements

2009-11-09T08:38:09Z

Children spend at least 45% of the school day in schools listening! The average hearing loss with middle ear infection is 30 dB. 90% of very young children´s knowledge is connected to hearing conversations around them! These are some relevant facts, but also advice, which you can find at the website of Illinois State University if you go straight to this pdf!

Full report Euronoise

2009-11-06T14:19:19Z

A full report on all the interviews and articles made on Acoustic Bulletin during the Euronoise 2009 conference in Edinburgh last week in October is directly accessible here

Thank you Edinburgh and goodbye Euronoise 2009.....

2009-11-04T10:33:31Z

On behalf of all editors of Acoustic Bulletin we would like to thank all readers, the IOA conference organisers, all those we have met at the Ecophon stand and especially those who we have had interviews with. We trust that your inputs will be of great value to many and we look forward to keep in touch. See you, and we hope to catch up again in the near future..... Alexey, Paulli, Holger, Tobias, Rainer, Jonas, Katrin, Martin, Anthony, Mikolaj, Guus, Mariëlle, Erling, Nils-Åke, Marc and Colin]]>

Sound in open plan offices - according to Andrew Parkin

2009-10-28T14:34:01Z

Andrew Parkin Jonas Christensson made an interview with Andrew Parkin, Technical Director at RPS. They met shortly after Andrew had finished his lecture and Jonas grasped the opportunity to ask him a couple of questions. Question 1: What are the most important things to consider when we should create a good sound environment in open plan offices? Listen to Andrew's answer (1,20 minutes) Question 2: How do we solve the need of concentration in open plan offices? Listen to Andrew's answer (2,20 minutes) More about Andrew Parkin or RPS Group: Andrew Parkin - Technical Director, Birmingham Newland House - P&D Tel: +44 (0)121 456 1560 Email: Andrew.Parkin@rpsgroup.com