How does acoustics affect my performance?
Both of our ears are great instruments. The processing unit behind it, our brains even more impressive if possible.
Our ears are constantly processing sounds. Not only the sound itself, but also the loudness of the sound, the timbre, the time information, etc. Our brain processes these stimuli into concrete information. Where does the sound come from, what/who is it? How far is it from me? What should I do with it?
In addition, we are - to a certain extent - able to filter out unwanted noise, interfering signals, background noise, a conversation that we do not want to follow, or reverberation. This way we can concentrate on the task we want/need to do at that moment. However, that takes a lot of energy.
Would you like to know how you can improve the acoustics in your room(s)? Then make an appointment for an acoustic measurement.
Influence of acoustics on health and performance
Acoustics that are not optimal distort the sound we hear.
For example, reverberation fills the pauses between words, reducing intelligibility. Multiple sound sources fill a room faster making it noisy, up to 10dB more. Too high a background noise level can mask the message. If distant sounds are under-damped, other conversations/sounds can intrude too much on the listener.
Poor acoustics can have a negative impact on people's health. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), stress, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. This, in turn, can lead to decreased concentration and productivity at work, as well as decreased performance in other activities, such as studying and exercising.
In addition, poor acoustics can also lead to communication problems and reduced speech intelligibility, so that people must speak louder to make themselves understood. This can lead to an increased risk of vocal cord problems and throat complaints in people who regularly work in noisy environments.
In this video, Julian Treasure explains why we should design more for our ears. Architects and designers place particular emphasis on what we can see, while sound strongly influences us. By designing more with sound, we can improve our health, social behavior, and productivity.
Benefits of a quiet space
Good acoustics, on the other hand, can promote health by creating a comfortable, quiet, and productive environment. It can lead to less stress and fatigue, better communication and increased concentration and productivity at work.
A quiet space therefore produces a fitter, healthier employee who can concentrate better, is less easily irritated, or stressed, and at the end of the day still has energy left for a fun evening.
Custom made acoustic panels
Every space is different. Each room therefore has its own acoustics and therefore acoustic problems. Before you think in solutions, it is important to first look at what the problems are. Depending on this, you choose the best acoustic solution or combination thereof.
Acoustic panels come in many shapes and sizes. On the wall, on the ceiling or standing on the floor. There are also plenty of providers. But how do you choose the right solution for your problem?
See here how you can best compare the quality of acoustic panels or get advice from an acoustics consultant.
Would you like to know which acoustic solution is the best in your situation? Then we would be happy to provide you with a tailor-made advice.