The World Health Organisation is on a mission to help rein in noise pollution around the world. They are very serious issues surrounding this problem, especially when you consider that high levels of noise pollution can lead to health issues, stroke and even early death. A study in London found that deaths rose by 4% in areas where daytime traffic noise was, on average, greater than 60 dB. As you live in an inner-city location you may be aware of elevated noise levels and you may find it difficult to complete certain activities like getting a good night's sleep. What should you do to get around this issue as effectively as you can?
Self Defence
There is little that you can do to curb the noise generated in a busy city environment and you have to leave those more holistic problems to regulators. However, you can look carefully at the building that you live in and see what you can do to provide some additional defence.
Vibrating Waves
Sounds are essentially vibrations, moving at a certain pressure level that makes them audible to the human ear. They travel in waves and can interact with structures all around them. This can make them appear louder or more prevalent and many people may, inadvertently, be contributing to the problem due to their home design.
Bad Environment
If you sleep in a bedroom with bare walls, ceiling and a tiled floor, then this is a perfect environment for destructive interference. This phenomenon occurs when sound waves are allowed to bounce off surfaces without any obstruction and can certainly make the problem more acute.
Strategies
Consider adding acoustic panels to the walls in your bedroom and put a rug or mat on the floor. Move some of your furniture so it is against your bare wall, as this will help to interfere with those sound waves.
Acoustic Insulation
You can also get acoustic insulation in the form of foam. This is made of mineral wool and is very flexible, so it can be inserted into cavity walls quite easily. It will form a barrier to deflect any noise back in its direction of origin and it may also provide you with some thermal insulation. This type of wool is easy to cut and shape and is quite cost-effective to buy.
Taking Action
If you're considering building a new home in a noisy city, or wish to reduce the noise pollution in your already established living space, talk with an insulation specialist to get more information on what earthwool insulation can do for you. You may finally be able to sleep more soundly at night.
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