Repairs & Maintenance   -   Environmental Issues

      Noise Reduction

Silence may be golden but in modern homes silence is becoming nearly impossible to achieve. We are inundated with the sounds of computers, kitchen appliances, televisions, radios, and the drone of traffic. Inside many modern homes is a cacophony of sound that can have significant impacts on health and well-being.

World Health Organization studies have revealed numerous effects of noise pollution including irritability, sleep disturbance, interference with communication, reduced ability to perform tasks and impacts on social behaviour. Prolonged exposure to noise can lead to physical effects including colds, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, increased general medical practice attendance and problems with the digestive system. Fatigue can also be a serious problem when noise interrupts normal sleep patterns.

In a report to the United Nations in 1996, 29% of people in Amsterdam complained of noisy neighbours and 28% were regularly disturbed by traffic sounds. In Great Britain, results showed that for 7% of homes in Britain, outdoor noise levels were greater than 68 dB. Interestingly enough, even within vast American national parks, noise-free intervals rarely exceeded several minutes. The sounds of traffic and airplanes are omnipresent.

Hearing damage is another serious effect of noise pollution. Prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 80 decibels can cause deafness. The degree of deafness depends on the length of exposure to the noise and its decibel level.

The decibel (dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. The lowest audible sound which can be heard by the human ear is 0 dB. A sound ten times more powerful than 0 dB is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near silence is 20 dB and so on. Here are some common sounds and their decibel ratings: a whisper measures 20 dB, normal conversation is 50 dB, a lawnmower is 90 dB and a pneumatic drill is 100 dB.

Loud noises are a part of daily life for many people. In order to protect health and hearing, the maximum exposure to 100 dB sounds such as power tools and snowmobiles is two hours per day without ear protection. Sounds in the 140 dB range such as gun shot blasts and jet engines can cause pain and injury to the ear; at this level hearing protection must be worn. Also if you are an avid music fan remember to limit your rock concert exposure (120 dB) to 15 minutes per day or less.

If you find that noises do not bother you as they once did, you likely already have suffered hearing damage. Once damage has been done, hearing aids and surgery may help, but nothing can completely restore hearing.

For most of us, the noise levels in our homes range from an ideal of 30 dB or lower for sleeping to a 90 dB symphony of appliances, television, music, conversation and other household factors. The following measures may help turn down the volume in your home.

Solutions

• Hardwood or any hard surface flooring will deflect sound waves. Depending on the size of the room, sounds can seem to echo and even intensify if the furnishings are sparse. Carpeting and large area rugs can help muffle sound.
• If vehicle traffic sounds are a problem in your home, plant tall bushes along the edge of your property. Choose evergreen bushes with dense foliage for the greatest noise reduction year-round. Plants can also help to block and filter vehicle exhaust, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Bushes are also a simple way to increase privacy.
• Engineering advances may one day also reduce traffic sounds. Several countries are investing in porous asphalt, which can cut traffic noise by up to 5dB. Research has been done into adding ground rubber tires to asphalt. (Your local municipality may be able to provide more information about roads and highways in your area.)
• Double pane windows can greatly reduce the amount of outdoor sound entering your home. Double panes also cut down on heating costs.
• Washing machines and dryers can add significantly to the noise inside a home. If possible, install these machines in a closet with proper ventilation and a door or shutters to block out the noise. Another option is to locate the washer and dryer in the basement or a room away from the main living area.
• If an appliance such a dishwasher seems unusually loud or seems to be getting louder, have a repair specialist take a look at it. A loose or broken part of the motor may be creating unnecessary noise. In general, newer appliances tend to be quieter and typically use less energy than older models.
• Many times people turn on an appliance and then in order to hear over it, they speak louder and turn up the radio or television. Noise can quickly reach a level that is uncomfortable. Instead of competing with appliances such as the dishwasher, turn them on just before leaving for the day.
• Summertime is a time of year when most people wish to enjoy the outdoors or, at the very least, open their windows to enjoy the summer breeze. Unfortunately, warm weather also brings with it the sounds of power tools, lawn mowers, weed trimmers, and air conditioners. Most gas-powered lawnmowers and weed trimmers have little if any emission controls. Not only are these devices often loud, they produce fumes which are dangerous to the user and the environment. Consider electric or push mowers and old-fashioned handheld trimmers. (These hands-on approaches to gardening can also be great for the waistline.)
• While it is one thing to reduce noise emanating from your own yard, your neighbours may not be so conscientious. Many municipalities across Canada have ordinances governing noise levels and the hours in which people are allowed to operate loud machinery.

Noise is often overlooked as a form of pollution. Its effect on health and well-being are being studied around the world as urbanization becomes commonplace and our neighbours become closer than ever. By taking a few moments to stop and listen to our homes we may find ways to recapture the silence.

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