More blog posts
Expert interview: Prof. Laura Arpiainen
Laura Arpiainen is the first professor in Finland in Health and Wellbeing Architecture, at Aalto University in Helsinki. She has led a research project that has designed new, flexible living solutions for the elderly with mild memory disorders. The acoustic design was one of the focus areas and resulted in the development of an acoustic…
Soundscape Attributes Translation Project (SATP)
The following article on the SATP project courtesy of Dr. Francesco Aletta, at UCL via Ph.D. Candidate Ela Fasllija at Bilkent University. Soundscape Sounds in cities and built environments are often measured as noise in terms of decibel levels. Yet the human perception of soundscapes is often overlooked. Soundscape opens up the possibilities of managing…
Continue Reading Soundscape Attributes Translation Project (SATP)
Noise in Preschools – the Effect on the Heart Rate Variability of Preschool Teachers
High noise levels are very common in preschools. In this study, the influence of noise on the heart rate variability of preschool teachers was investigated. Furthermore, suggestions are given on how the noise level in preschools could be reduced. By Sonja Brachtl, psychologist and preschool teacher Background The average sound level in preschools often exceeds…
Improving acoustic conditions at Mount Abu School in Delhi, India
Mount Abu School in Delhi, India, prides itself in providing the most advanced and optimized learning environments for its learners. That’s why the school offers an impressive array of technology for students like 3D printers and robotics, and also houses a STEM excellence center. But the acoustic conditions left a lot to be desired. After…
Continue Reading Improving acoustic conditions at Mount Abu School in Delhi, India
Designing quality learning spaces in over 600 schools in New Zealand
As part of their School Property Strategy, New Zealand’s Ministry of Education (MoE) has recently revamped their acoustic standard for education, Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS), and aims to implement it across 3,000 learning spaces in over 600 schools. The initiatives were recently presented at the Internoise 2022 conference by James Whitlock from Marshall Day…
Continue Reading Designing quality learning spaces in over 600 schools in New Zealand
Great presentation of ISO 22955 at Internoise
Conference proceeding by Michel Batista: Acoustic assessment of an open-plan office environment against the newly published ISO 22955 acoustic parameters New ISO 22955 for open plan offices was a topic of a few research papers at Internoise. Michel Batista from Subsonic Designs showed interesting examples of in-situ measurements and simulations according to ISO 22955 and…
Continue Reading Great presentation of ISO 22955 at Internoise
Healing environments – efforts and opportunities
Visiting or staying in a hospital is an exciting experience for most people. In this environment, stimuli are perceived that can influence the situation in both a positive and negative way. Various studies have shown that noise levels in hospitals are too high for optimal healing. This blog is about how healing environments can contribute…
Continue Reading Healing environments – efforts and opportunities
Healthcare at Internoise 2022
Tomomi Yamada: Masking effect of sounds during treatment on dental drill sound The drill is an excellent device – except for the sound! Well, we can probably all agree with that opening statement by Tomomi Yamada. It´s human nature to respond instantaneously to frightening sounds and this sound probably affects most people! The sound is…
Finding a comfortable balance for children on the autism spectrum (Internoise 2022)
Children on the autism spectrum (ASD) make up a large contingent of today’s classrooms and are highly affected by the acoustic environment. These children often have comorbidities, particularly hypersensitivities to noise and other environmental factors. They find sounds overwhelming and also do not find it as easy to neurologically habituate to sounds over time [1]…
Continue Reading Finding a comfortable balance for children on the autism spectrum (Internoise 2022)
Sustainable Acoustics at Internoise 2022
We continue on giving you highlights and summarise of a variety of subjects from Internoise in Glasgow, enjoy! Abigail Bristow: From the cost of noise to the value of soundscape The past two decades have seen an ongoing paradigm shift from noise control to soundscaping. Soundscape approaches have been widely applied in traditional noise…
Improving the acoustic conditions for children with special listening needs (Adrian James Acoustics, Internoise 2022)
As a veteran acoustician and the principal author of the UK acoustic standard for schools BB93, Adrian James has spent nearly three decades considering and influencing the role sound plays in classrooms. He notes that the Department for Education’s Advice on Standards for School Premises, 2015, for children with special listening needs (accessible here)…
Lily Wang and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Wonderful key-note at Internoise in Glasgow.
If Michael Jackson was King of Pop – Lily Wang is Queen of acoustics! We feel so lucky to have been part of a legendary keynote presentation that made us laugh, wonder, reflect, and a bit star-struck! Lily has skills that go beyond her impressive professional merits: This lady excels on stage! Add to that…
Diffuse ceiling ventilation contributes to quieter classrooms at a school in Eslöv, Sweden
At Ekenäs School in Eslöv, Sweden, we compared four classrooms with almost identical acoustic treatments but differing in the type of ventilation system used. We wanted to know if diffuse ceiling ventilation can offer a quieter as well as more comfortable, sustainable and cheaper solution. Background: diffuse ceiling ventilation Diffuse ceiling ventilation allows air…
Sound environment in the Intensive Care Unit
Noise levels – how it is experienced by staff We have building regulations for room acoustics in hospitals in Intensive Care Units (ICU). But are they enough to create a good environment for both staff and patients? Recently a new study from Copenhagen hospitals was finalized so let’s take a look at some of the…
Continue Reading Sound environment in the Intensive Care Unit
Diffuse ventilation: a quieter, more sustainable alternative for the post-pandemic classroom
Schools globally take on a daily responsibility: to provide the very best environment in which students can grow and thrive. And they need to do it equitably; true inclusivity means that no child gets left behind regardless of background or level of ability. But schools also need to think about the greater context. By raising…
Baltic-Nordic Acoustic Meeting 2022
On May 9-11 2022, Aalborg hosted the bi-annual Baltic Nordic- Acoustic Meeting (organized by the Nordic Acoustic Association), which this time is merged with the EUROREGIO (organized by the European Acoustics Association). The conference brought together academics, engineers, consultants, and other practitioners in the wide field of acoustics. Some of the really interesting presentations are…
New Ph.D: Acoustic Design with Regard to Human Perception
Friday the 13th of May Emma Arvidsson (EA) did her Ph.D. dissertation at Lund’s University (Sweden) under the title ‘Acoustic Design with Regard to Human Perception’. Acoustic design of Ordinary Public Rooms From many years of research, we know that ordinary public rooms (classrooms and offices) where complex tasks such as learning or following long…
Continue Reading New Ph.D: Acoustic Design with Regard to Human Perception
New report shows that European schools neglect their sound environment
A new report finds that far too many European schools neglect their sound environment. Noise harms children’s learning and health and creates inequalities for students with special needs. More schools should regularly measure noise levels and design according to acoustic standards and recommendations in order to provide optimal learning environments, that have the added benefit…
Continue Reading New report shows that European schools neglect their sound environment
Design, guidance and induction loops
To create a school environment that works well from an auditory perspective, the acoustics must meet the needs associated with the purpose of the premises. Good acoustics are an investment in teachers’ occupational wellbeing, learning and comfort. “I have teaching spaces that work well for me.“ This is what Heikki Ylhäinen, fifth-grade teacher for a…
Acoustic privacy and screens – What are the technical details?
How do you improve acoustic privacy in open offices? This might be the most important question for anyone designing or managing open office spaces as speech noise is the primary contributor to distractions for office workers [1]. The answer is that the right acoustic features must be in place, from the very base build of…
Continue Reading Acoustic privacy and screens – What are the technical details?
Expert Interview: Prof. Astolfi and the Italian school acoustic standard (UNI 11532-2)
Professor Arianna Astolfi’s tireless work within the field of architectural acoustics culminated in the publication of the Italian acoustic standard for schools, UNI 11532-2. This standard broke new ground in 2020 by including an expanded set of acoustic parameters ensuring optimal communication and speech perception in the classroom. Following the standard is now a legal…
Modular operating rooms provide good acoustics for surgeons
Lego construction for operating rooms Modular operating rooms are being seen more and more on the market. It takes less time to get it up and running compared to a traditionally built hospital. It´s cost-effective, time-saving, and can be taken down and moved when it´s not needed anymore. However, it can negatively affect acoustics due…
Continue Reading Modular operating rooms provide good acoustics for surgeons
Find out more on: