What do acoustic consultants really do
Sound pollution is becoming quite a big problem in most built-up areas today and recently I’ve begun to think that an acoustic consultant could do something to attenuate sound levels.
As it happens, continuous noise pollution is not as much of a problem as sudden peaks and troughs although in the workplace, steady noise that isn’t hugely loud is quite often a problem and give rise to hearing loss.
Perhaps one of the most significant human aspects of noise is that it has an adverse impact on sleep quality and steady low level sleep deprivation is very detrimental to physical and mental health.
For an Acoustic consultant this will be familiar territory. Acoustic engineers use the latest acoustic apparatus to log sound levels & pin point sources of noise. By designing buildings to absorb sound energy they are able to significantly improve the quality of life for people and thus improve their well-being too.
A common problem is due to aeroplane sound levels, particularly in proximity to busy airports like London Heathrow where jets fly in low over inhabited areas. Although there usually are controls on landing and take-off times, busy international & national airports tend to operate virtually twenty-four hours a day. Noise consultants are being used by airport protestors now to record sound levels and then to act as experts in environmental assessment studies.