Irrelevant speech, or background conversations, has been shown to impair cognitive performance and cause physiological stress. Recently published research demonstrated that working during task-irrelevant speech not only increases stress, as measured by heart rate variability, and reduces accuracy but also increases annoyance and perceived workload. Method Thirty participants performed two cognitive tasks (n-back and serial […]
research
Tackling acoustic challenges in open-plan offices
Increase in open-plan solutions Open-plan offices have gradually become a preferred model for companies to use, mainly to encourage spontaneous interactions between coworkers, but also because of the aesthetics around a big open room. Further, there is an economic benefit of having as many workstations as possible in fewer square meters. However, these benefits often […]
Baltic-Nordic Acoustic Meeting 2024, Healthcare
On May 22-24, some 175 delegates from 18 countries gathered together in the beautiful venue at the Finnish-Swedish Cultural Center Hanaholmen. Located at the scenic seafront between Helsinki and Espoo in Finland. This second article will highlight the acoustic meeting presentations regarding Healthcare. Acoustics and Healthcare Acoustic comfort assessment in hospital wards: measuring procedures and […]
Baltic-Nordic Acoustic Meeting 2024
On May 22-24, some 175 delegates from 18 countries gathered together in the beautiful venue at the Finnish-Swedish Cultural Center Hanaholmen. Located at the scenic seafront between Helsinki and Espoo in Finland. Three days of conference targeted even more than before to the people practising acoustics every day. This meant that one of the Baltic-Nordic […]
Classrooms beyond the minimum acoustic standard found to significantly reduce school noise and disturbance
According to the study, additional sound absorbing materials – e.g. acoustic panels, carpets and soft furniture – play a significant role in creating calm and pleasant learning environments. In a study published in 2023 by Turku University of Applied Sciences. It was found that the noise generated in the school environment from the activities of the […]
Sound in schools and its impact on learning and teachers’ wellbeing
New wellbeing report captures the results of a pan-European survey conducted by European Schoolnet under its Future Classroom Lab initiative. This Teacher wellbeing survey was available to educators in 13 languages between February 2023 and June 2023. It investigated the current state of school acoustics across Europe. The aim included understanding better what secondary school […]
A major survey in France : Noise in Bars & Restaurants
At EIAS 2023 a poster session was presented and lots of great studies were shared. Studies from Education, Healthcare and Office segments were covered at the same time as studies about sound environments in restaurants and bars. A poster including a survey from France revealed that restaurant owners risk lower income because of noise. The […]
Research and Development in Acoustics at Ecophon, EIAS 2023
In May 2023, it was again time for EIAS, Ecophon International Acoustics Seminar. We were utterly proud to once more host an event, focusing on development in room acoustics AND sharing a great time with some of the brightest minds within the field of acoustics. A bit more than 200 guests and 25 speakers from […]
Acoustic Design for Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Mainstream Schools
Acoustic Design for Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Mainstream Schools presented by Emma Greenland at EIAS2023. A review of the evidence base regarding acoustic design and special educational needs was undertaken. To answer the following questions on behalf of the Department for Education in England: What are the differing listening needs for students with different […]
Exploring the Design Preferences of Neurodivergent Populations for Quiet Spaces
At EIAS 2023 we were lucky to be joined by Toar Sadia, Senior Inclusive Design Consultant at Buro Happold. Toar gave an interesting and insightful talk on the importance of the design of quiet spaces. And the views and preferences of neurodivergent populations for design aspects of the space. Neurodivergent populations A quiet space (sometimes […]
