Reverberation Noise Control

It’s a fact that our world is becoming noisier and noisier. And it’s equally a fact that reverberation noise – sound generated by hard surfaces which allow noise to bounce back and reverberate – is becoming more and more of a problem in today’s society.

So why do we have reverberation noise?

Part of the increase in reverberation noise comes from the recent fashion of removing natural sound absorbing products such as carpets and thick curtains with hard flooring and modern blinds. Although blinds and floorboards (and even exposed brick) can look crisp and clean, they all have the effect of amplifying noise, sometimes to deafening levels. In offices and educational establishments, excessive background noise can adversely affect productivity levels. When it comes to restaurants and bars, noise means fewer customers! How often have you decided against revisiting a certain bar or restaurant because your last visit involved shouting across a tide of background noise to be heard, with your meal marred by intrusive sound levels? It happens a lot… and it is bad; very bad for business, health and well-being.

Solutions for reverberation noise control

Recently I visited a local golf club. The club boasted an excellent 18 hole course, and an attractive modern bar replete with chic timber flooring, painted masonry walls and a painted soffit. Although membership was on the rise, bar sales were down. Members were simply finding that spending time in a noisy environment, full of clinking glasses, ambient music and the occasional lively discussion was not much fun. The solution was simple – high tech absorbers’ were fitted to the soffit. The once offending reverberating sound was greatly reduced, and – happily for both management and members – custom began to return. You can read our case study here.

Solutions for halls and sports venues

Another example of reverberation noise problems lay in a church hall which was used for badminton games, amateur/ school dramatic productions, and children’s parties. Again, once a badminton game or children’s party was in full swing, hard surfaces meant horrendous noise levels. Sound absorbers were fitted to both walls and ceiling, and a much loved community building became a much more welcoming space.

Perhaps the worst case of reverberation noise that I have ever encountered was in a school hall, used for PE, school dinners, and weekly assemblies. Remarkably, a simple treating of the painted concrete soffit was enough to drastically improve the problem. Just as in the case of the golf club bar and the church hall, experiencing the newly sound-treated school hall was something that the staff could barely believe. When the school head gave his weekly assembly his voice no longer echoed to almost inaudible proportions. School dinner time was a much quieter affair, too.

Reverberation problems can afflict many types of building, both new and old. All large spaces are at risk – whether they be communal halls in apartment blocks, theater foyers, open plan offices, or hospital atria. With the careful application of modern technology, reverberation noise is more easily reduced than ever before. Stress fully loud venues can be transformed into quieter havens where everyone is happier and, of course, far more productive.

Common questions

The office employees have complained that they are unable to concentrate properly in their daily duties because of high levels of ‘background noise’ and in particular find it difficult to have telephone conversations with customers. Can anything be done to reduce the noise levels within the office?” Office Manager

Yes, the Hush Absorber range of acoustic panels can easily be fitted to any office space and will drastically reduce the reverberation noise levels. They are simple, clean and really quick to install, meaning there will be minimal disruption to your office during installation.

“My restaurant is suffering from loss of business as less people are visiting nowadays. I have had complaints in the past that it is too noisy for my guests to enjoy their meal. However I do not want to put large panels on the walls as it might ruin the aesthetics of the room. What can be done to reduce the noise levels but not spoil the look of the room?” Restaurant Manager

The Hush Absorber range of panels is available in a wide range of sizes, colours and finishes. It is also possible to print designs on to the panels. So you can either match the colour of the panels to your walls to reduce the aesthetic impact, use panels in certain colours/tones which complement your particular colour scheme of your restaurant, or even print designs on the panels and use them as feature displays within your room.