Poor acoustics – invisible danger
Mental health starts with a calm environment
Who hasn’t experienced it: at night we struggle through insomnia and during the day we feel stressed because our nervous system is overstimulated. A calm environment is therefore crucial for our mental health and well-being.
At apn® we know how important good room acoustics are for well-being and health. Poor acoustics can not only be disturbing, but can also have serious health consequences. The science of psychoacoustics shows how sounds and noise affect our mental and physical health.
The science of sound perception
Psychoacoustics, a branch of psychophysics, deals with the perception of sound by the human ear. It investigates how physical sound events such as volume, frequency and duration are converted into subjective auditory impressions such as loudness, sharpness and pitch. In addition, science investigates the effects of these acoustic sensations on our well-being.
Hearing is a sense that we cannot turn off. In evolutionary terms, our hearing serves to protect us from potential dangers. We are therefore forced to listen constantly. However, if our brain is constantly processing the sounds of our environment and evaluating them for potential dangers, this listening effort leads to an impairment of our cognitive performance. This can not only lead to impaired health but, in the worst case, to a complete loss of working capacity.
Effects of poor acoustics on health
Poor acoustics – whether at home or at work – can have a significant negative impact on health. Numerous studies have shown that constant noise and background noise can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. Sleep disorders are just the beginning: increased blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, hearing damage, concentration problems, reduced performance and stress are further consequences. If the latter is not managed properly, it can settle in the body and lead to postural problems or various forms of pain in everyday life.
Inadequate room acoustics measures are a major disruptive factor for knowledge work, impairing the well-being and productivity of employees. Employee satisfaction and health play a central role in the success of the workplace strategy. As early as 1998, the study by Banbury and Berry (1) showed that noise in the workplace can lead to productivity losses of up to 20%. This finding underlines the potential for significant financial losses in companies due to inadequate room acoustics.
Our solutions at apn®
At apn®, we rely on innovative acoustic solutions to minimize these negative effects. Our products are designed to create a pleasant soundscape and optimize room acoustics. Through close collaboration between acoustic engineering, architecture and design, we create harmonious and productive environments that meet the needs of users.
The importance of psychoacoustics and the impact of poor acoustics on health should not be underestimated. Good room acoustics are crucial for well-being and health. At apn® we are constantly working to develop innovative solutions that promote a healthy and pleasant environment.
(1) “Disruption of office-related tasks by speech and office noise” by Banbury, S., & Berry, D. C. (1998) in the British Journal of Psychology: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1998.tb02699.x