A Guide to Acoustic Solutions for Large Indoor Spaces

Excessive noise can be disruptive and distracting, leading to difficulties with concentration, stress, and anxiety. Children who are frequently exposed to high levels of noise, such as in noisy classrooms or homes near busy roads, may have difficulties with learning, memory, and attention. In addition, noise exposure can also lead to sleep disturbances, which can have a negative impact on a child’s overall well-being. Noise can have an even greater impact on older people than on younger individuals. As people age, they are more susceptible to hearing loss, and even relatively mild levels of noise can cause discomfort, stress and other health problems. Additionally, noise can disrupt sleep and impair cognitive function in older adults. It is recommended that older people limit their exposure to noise by taking steps to reduce the noise levels in their environment.

Echo, reverberation and soundproofing are all related to sound and how it behaves in a room. Here’s a brief explanation of each:

1. Echo: Echo occurs when sound waves bounce off hard surfaces and return to the listener, creating a distinct repetition of the original sound. Echo can be distracting and unpleasant, especially in large or empty rooms.
2. Reverberation: Reverberation refers to the persistence of sound in a room after the original source has stopped producing sound. Reverberation can cause sounds to blur together and make it difficult to understand speech or music in a space.
3. Soundproofing: Soundproofing refers to the process of reducing the transmission of sound from one space to another. This can be accomplished by adding sound-absorbing materials to walls, ceilings and floors, or by adding mass to the structure to reduce the transfer of sound waves.

So, while echo and reverberation are related to the behaviour of sound within a space, soundproofing is concerned with reducing the transmission of sound from one space to another. Large open spaces generally need acoustic treatment.

Acoustic treatment refers to the use of materials and techniques to improve the acoustics of a room or space. The goal of acoustic treatment is to control and enhance the sound quality in a room, making it more suitable for recording, listening, and speech.

This is typically achieved through the use of sound-absorbing and sound-diffusing materials, such as acoustic panels, bass traps, and diffusers, which are strategically placed on walls, ceilings, and floors to control echo, reverberation, and standing waves. Acoustic treatment can also include the use of soundproofing techniques to reduce the transmission of sound from one space to another. The specific type and amount of acoustic treatment required will depend on the size and shape of the room, the type of activity that will be taking place, and the desired sound quality.

Acoustic panels work by absorbing sound waves and reducing the amount of sound reflection in a room. The panels are made from materials that convert the sound energy into minimal amounts of heat, effectively reducing the level of sound in the room. The panels are strategically placed on walls, ceilings or other surfaces to reduce echo and reverb, improving the overall sound quality of a space.

The amount of noise reduction achieved with acoustic panels depends on several factors such as the size and layout of the room, the type and number of panels used, and the frequency range of the sound. On average, acoustic panels can reduce noise levels by 20 to 30 decibels, which is a significant reduction. However, in some cases, the reduction can be even greater, and in other cases, it may be lower. It’s important to note that acoustic panels are not a guarantee for complete noise elimination, but they can greatly improve the overall sound quality of a space.

If you’d like to know more about how Soundproof Solutions can improve the sound of your space please check out our website, socials or give Rod a call on 0404 475 023. We offer tailor made solutions that can include:

• Supply of panels only
• Supply and install
• Full site survey, including consultation with industry leading Acoustic Engineers