I start from a situation of total absence of noise to get an idea of how human can react to a very unlikely situation, practically impossible in “real life”!
The quietest place in the world is an anechoic (ie echo-free) chamber at Orfield Laboratories (United States). It measures 3.6 × 3 meters and is covered on all six sides with fiberglass wedges. It has double steel walls and is added by a second room also with double steel walls. Finally, like a matryoshka, these two rooms are in a third made entirely of concrete.
The room is also positioned on a spring system that cancels any vibration. 99.9% of the noises are absorbed, this means that if a normal conversation measures a volume of about 60 decibels, within this space there is a noise pollution of -9.4 dB.
To make the actual value of the perceived noise more understandable, just think that the audible threshold of the human being is equal to 0 db and extends up to 10khZ, more or less 70/80 DB, after we move on to ultrasound.
What causes the total absence of noise in humans?
Steven Orfield, facility manager tells about the experience in the room and says, “Within thirty seconds you start to hear the ringing of your ears, after twenty minutes that of your knees, the bones rubbing against each other. After half an hour the sound of your breath, your heartbeat, the blood flowing in your veins .. “
Mr. Orfield adds “some manage to resist for a few seconds, some after a few minutes start to feel sick, dizzy and hallucinate. Writer George Foy’s record of permanence is 45 minutes, absolute cultures of silent and isolated places ”.
Why does man suffer these psychophysical consequences from the total absence of noise?
Man also orientates himself thanks to noises and sounds, it is no coincidence that balance is found inside the ear. inevitably, if it is damaged, a feeling of disorientation and vertigo is generated.
We understand, we cannot completely eliminate noise… but why does it affect our well-being?
Noise is a very common stress factor in our society, we live it continuously, in our every little daily action, but we are so addicted to it that we do not understand the great importance that this element has in our lives.
The psychology of living, which combines architecture and neuroscience, deals with the well-being between the individual and the environment in which he lives. Noises and sounds are precious indicators for perceiving an environmental well-being or malaise.
What are the most common effects of noise on psycho-physical well-being?
The first signs, the “lightest” and treatable ones, are attention deficit perception and concentration. It can lead to problems such as neurosis, insomnia, allergies, asthma, palpitations, cardiocirculatory disorders and decreased hearing …
The health effects are proven by scientific tests and reported in many medical journals.
As proof of how harmful noise pollution can become for our health, the DPCM 5/12/1997 has been drawn up, which determines the acoustic requirements of buildings.
How can we increase the acoustic comfort?
- Consider the acoustic comfort right from the start of the project because with the right precautions and a correct study of the space it is possible to achieve very satisfactory results
- Implement sound-absorbing panels that guarantee acoustic correction quickly and easily
STL is very attentive to people’s wellbeing and for this reason we are committed to creating spaces that are BEAUTIFUL and INNOVATIVE, always putting COMFORT AND SUSTAINABILITY at the center.
The sound-absorbing panels we have chosen to guarantee acoustic comfort have truly innovative features:
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They are made of variable density material, which allows to obtain selective absorption at different frequencies and therefore to optimize the acoustics of the environment despite the very low thickness of the sound-absorbing panels
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Have been tested in a reverberation room according to the UNI EN ISO 354 standard, obtaining the “Acoustic Absorption Class A” in accordance with the UNI EN ISO 11654 standard
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The absence of frames makes the surfaces of the panels completely sound-absorbing. The whole surface is to be considered useful for the purposes of acoustic correction
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Have received the Greenguard Gold certification, which validates their low emission characteristics and their contribution to the quality of the environment
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they are made entirely of polyester, therefore single-material and 100% recyclable. The internal sound-absorbing material of the panels is produced with up to 30% recycled material.
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they are made of non-retardant material and very resistant in situations of extreme temperatures
- the continuous surface of the panel can be easily cleaned with specific detergents.
In STL we believe that in everything there must be a balance that generates harmony and beauty.
“The mother of tranquility is silence, just as noise is the realm of confusion. Both things serve to appreciate the opposites.”
Otil Farg