Noise Pollution and Acoustics

Noise pollution is unwanted or excessive sound that can disturb people, communication, work, sleep, or health. Common sources include: traffic; machinery; construction; aircraft; * loud music.

Excessive noise can contribute to: * hearing damage; * stress; reduced concentration; sleep disturbance.

Noise can be reduced by controlling: **source — quieter machines; path — barriers or sound-absorbing materials; receiver** — hearing protection.

**Acoustics** is the study of sound and its behaviour. In buildings, acoustics involves managing: * reflection; * absorption; reverberation; clarity.

Reverberation is the persistence of sound caused by multiple reflections after the source has stopped. Too much reverberation can reduce speech clarity.