Photo: Hear-it.org Scientists from the University of California have found out how “the cocktail party effect” works. The cocktail party effect is the well-known human ability to focus on and pick out the speech of one person in a large crowd where there is a lot of background noise. The cocktail party effect has both […]
The sound of silence and its value and benefits in the classroom
Photo: Silence in Schools.org A new book “Silence in Schools” written by Dr. Helen E. Lees is not focusing on the absence of noise (negative silence) but experiencing positive silence where seeking and choosing silence can bring peace, joy and satisfaction. It is also reported to increase the levels of energy once a return to […]
“Why architects need to use their ears” – TED talk
Julian Treasure’s latest TED talk “Why architects need to use their ears” published last night, challenges architects and all of us to design spaces for our ears. He focuses on acoustic issues in Schools and Hospitals, whilst challenging the world to think and introduce sound designers (acousticians as you are known) earlier in planning stages. […]
Highest sound levels at this summers Olympics
Usain Bolt did silence his critics this summer, but when were sound levels unbearable at the London Olympics? According to The Mail, Campbell Associates using their sound level meters measured some of the recent events, the target sound barrier would be the figure of 105 decibels – the noise you hear standing next to a […]
Essex Study co author presents at “Sound Education” seminar
Adrian James – AJA Acoustics Two days after the launch of the Essex Study, Adrian was asked to be an additional speaker at the “Sound Education” seminar in London last month. Adrian is co author of the Essex study along with David Canning. Click here for Essex study full report and/or summary report.
The sound environment in ICU
A newly published study from Sweden describes the audible atmosphere of an intensive care unit patient room over a 24-hour period. The study aimed to investigate sound level data and compare patient recollection of the sound environment during the stay. The study showed that sound levels are exceeding 55dB between 70-90% of the time, which […]
Acoustics are top of the class after triple awards win
click here for link to video. The importance of classroom acoustics in the UK, has been underlined after three schools were recognised at the BCSE Best of British Schools Awards (Thursday 21 June).Architects Walters and Cohen triumphed in the New Build Primary School category being crowned winners for both Hylands Primary School and Elm Park […]
Limitations of reverberation time in non-diffuse conditions
Jack Harvie-Clark had two papers at Euronoise 2012, the first looking at reverberation time in school halls and the other concerning surprisingly high sound insulation test results between classrooms. Reverberation Times in School Halls: Measurements and Modeling Jack Harvie-Clark, Nicholas Dobinson, David Moore, Peter Ward, Richard Hinton Jack discussed how reverberation time is dominated by […]
Acoustics and sustainable building session at Euronoise
Building session Murray Hodgson chaired the interesting session focusing on sustainability. It is surprising that this subject and session were not bigger and perhaps also an indication of what still needs to be done to raise awareness and make sure acoustics give a higher standing in sustainable buildings. Perhaps an opportunity for the acoustical societies […]
Classroom Acoustics sessions at Euronoise 2012
Euronoise circulation spaceOn Monday afternoon, Arianna Astolfi and Monika Rychtarikova chaired an extensive session on educational buildings. Most sessions where about classrooms but there was also a focus on early years and day care environments. The sessions included:Relationship between Vocal Doses and Voice Disorders on Primary School Teachers. (Arianna Astolfi, Pasquale Bottalico, Anna Accornero, Massimiliano […]
