The benefits of good acoustics
At home, at work, on the go or in a public space: our environment is bursting with sound. Singing birds evoke a happy feeling, other sounds drive us to distraction. Loud or prolonged sounds can have a major impact on our health and comfort. How does that work, and why is good acoustics so important?
What is acoustics?
By acoustics, we mean how sound behaves in a space: dull and calm, or loud and echoing. A room has a major influence on that. Ever felt completely worn out after an evening where you could barely understand people and the ambient noise was really unsettled? Chances are you were standing in a room with a smooth tiled floor, tiled walls and a glass façade — typical materials that bounce sound straight back into the room. What counts as good acoustics depends entirely on the space and the situation. At the office you crave silence, while in a restaurant a bit of (subtle) buzz is perfectly welcome.
Why we don't like noise.
Let's take a step back in time. Where does this aversion to loud sound actually come from? In prehistoric times, strong sounds were a symbol of danger. We're naturally flight animals and once had to be able to flee in time. Unexpected sound was often the warning sign of a dangerous situation, and we still react strongly to it today. Loud noise is often a signal to be alert — think of honking cars or an ambulance siren. Your calm is disrupted and it becomes hard to concentrate.
The impact of acoustics
Unwanted sound is more than just annoying. It can have a major impact on your comfort, enjoyment and even your health. Did you know, for example, that poor acoustics in hospitals raise patients' blood pressure and heart rate? Investing in good acoustics means choosing:
Whether it's a rattling coffee machine or a loud phone call: harsh background noise pulls you out of your concentration, making it hard to hold a conversation or meet a deadline. With good acoustics you get more focus and your productivity shoots up. Office employees in a space with good acoustics experience 48% more focus and make 10% fewer mistakes (Sykes, D M., 2004).
Funny but true: the taste of a dish is partly determined by its surroundings. Scientific research shows that the acoustics and music in a restaurant not only set the mood, but also affect the tasting experience. Classical music, for example, has a positive effect, while harsh background noise actually makes your food taste worse.
Whether at home, at the office or in a classroom: noise pollution causes stress. And prolonged stress in turn makes you more likely to get sick. A quiet space without reverberation creates calm in your head. Did you know that stress levels in the office drop by as much as 27% when you improve the acoustics? (Sykes, D M., 2004).
Anyone who has spent all day in a noisy space knows that bad sound is tiring. You have to talk louder and listening takes effort. This is especially important in meeting rooms, classrooms and gyms. Improved acoustics make talking, concentrating and listening easier. You feel fit and energised.
You're in control of the silence yourself
With the right acoustic solutions, you take control of your own space. That's how a noisy office turns into a serene workplace. Acoustic products don't have to stand out — there are acoustic lamps and acoustic panels that practically deserve to be called art.