According to Wikipedia, Acoustics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including topics such as vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. The application of acoustics is present in almost all aspects of modern society with the most obvious being the audio and noise control industries.
The word “acoustic” is derived from the Greek word ἀκουστικός (akoustikos), meaning “of or for hearing, ready to
hear” and that from ἀκουστός (akoustos), “heard, audible”, which in turn derives from the verb ἀκούω(akouo), “I
hear”.
Hearing is one of the most crucial means of survival in the animal world and speech is one of the most distinctive
characteristics of human development and culture.
The question is acoustics still relevant seems amusing to me.
In this article, you will learn why acoustics is relevant.
WHY ACOUSTICS?
Most structures suffer from POOR Acoustics, hence the need for improving Sound and Eliminating Noise using an array of several products scientifically tested with data has come to play an important role. Sound bounces off hard surfaces – like glass, brick, and hardwood flooring – creating echoes. These echoes, in turn, bounce off other surfaces, many times, building up a mess of sound known as reverberation.
Echoes and reverberation interfere with the normal sounds in buildings, making it difficult to hear conversation and music. Hard reflective surfaces are the main trouble-makers: Windows, bare walls, exposed flooring, glass furniture. A typical meeting room with a wall of windows on one side and a whiteboard on the other is practically an echo chamber.
ACOUSTIC MATERIALS
Acoustical materials are a variety of foams, fabrics, metals, etc. used to quiet workplaces, homes, automobiles, and so forth to increase the comfort and safety of their inhabitants by reducing noise generated both inside and outside of those spaces. Acoustical materials are used in two major ways: as soundproofing, by which noise generated from outside a given space is blocked from entering the space; and, as sound-absorbing, where noise generated within a space is reduced inside the space itself.
These sound and noise control products include sound absorbents, diffusers, noise barriers, and vibration control devices.
SOUND ABSORBERS – These sound absorbing acoustical panels and soundproofing materials are used to eliminate sound reflections to improve speech intelligibility, reduce standing waves and prevent comb filtering. Typical materials are open-cell polyurethane foam, cellular melamine, fibreglass, fluffy fabrics and other porous materials.
SOUND DIFFUSERS – These devices reduce the intensity of sound by scattering it over an expanded area, rather than eliminating the sound reflections as an absorber would. Traditional spatial diffusers, such as the poly cylindrical (barrel) shapes also double as low-frequency traps. Temporal diffusers, such as binary arrays and quadratics, scatter sound in a manner similar to diffraction of light, where the timing of reflections from an uneven surface of varying depths causes interference which spreads the sound.
VIBRATION CONTROL – These materials range from dense materials to block the transmission of airborne sound to devices and compounds used to isolate structures from one another and reduce impact noise. Vibration control products are used to absorb vibration energy and prevent structural noise transmission.
In line with the environmental impact assessment of the Lagos State Government on NOISE, we will assist in controlling the sounds and eliminating the NOISE to improve the sound.
NOISE BARRIERS -Sound barrier materials are used to reduce the transmission of airborne sound. The Block Aid series of products include the standard one pound per square foot non reinforced barrier, transparent material when observation or supervision is required, reinforced vinyl to create a hanging barrier partition.
These products include:
- MLV Sound Barrier
- Acoustical Barrier Blankets
- Ceiling Barrier
- Acoustical Door Seal Kits
CONCLUSION
We believe from the above article, you could know that Acoustic is really that important because as human hearing is one of the most crucial means of survival in the animal world and speech is one of the most distinctive
characteristics of human development and culture. The need for an audible hearing is very vital and important.