Tuning in on Sound

14 Aug 2025

Why acoustic planning matters across offices, schools, hospitals, and housing

Noise pollution doesn’t stop at the building envelope. Even indoors, sound from adjacent rooms, above or below, or from hallways and mechanical systems can disrupt the people a space is meant to support. Conversations, equipment, alarms, and HVAC systems all contribute to a level of background noise that’s hard for the occupants to ignore.

Whether in an office, school, hospital, or residence, a constant mix of unwanted noise can disrupt communication, reduce focus, and lead to physical and mental fatigue.

Acoustics by Environment

Each space presents unique acoustic pain points. In offices, open layouts introduce overlapping conversations (in real-life and virtual), computer sounds, and mechanical system noise. These spaces require a mix of materials, demising assemblies, and layout strategies to support collaboration as well as focused tasks.

Classrooms require clear speech and minimal distraction. Yet many are constructed with drywall, tile flooring, and suspended ceilings, lacking the soft surfaces that absorb sound. Without effective acoustic planning, learning and retention can suffer due to unintelligible speech.

Hospitals must balance privacy and recovery. Thin walls, hallway activity, and the constant alerts of medical equipment can interrupt patient rest and increase staff stress.

Dormitories, hotels, and multi-unit housing face challenges from shared walls, floor/ceiling assemblies, and exterior noise, especially in dense urban environments.

Designing for Noise Control

Effective acoustic control begins with identifying the source and type of sound, airborne or impact, and then applying architectural and material solutions. Acoustic ceiling tiles, sound-absorbing panels, carpeting, wall treatments, and underlayment all play a role in managing interior acoustics.

Floor/ceiling assemblies, gasketed doors, and seals around openings help block noise transmission. For buildings with hard surfaces and large volumes, reverberation control becomes equally important.

Supplementing with Sound Masking

Counterintuitively, people can feel a space is “too noisy” when the steady background sound levels are too quiet. Where traditional solutions fall short, sound masking can provide relief. These systems introduce moderate-level ambient sound engineered to reduce speech intelligibility and cover disruptive background sounds. They’re especially useful in open-plan offices and healthcare settings where privacy and freedom from distraction are both critical.

Role of the Acoustic Consultant

Involving an acoustical consultant during the design phase helps teams plan for performance instead of correcting problems after the fact. They assess site conditions, simulate acoustical behavior, model reverberation, and recommend products or assemblies that can meet both aesthetic and performance goals.

They also provide post-construction services, including acoustic testing and commissioning to confirm performance targets, such as the noise reduction of assemblies, background sound levels of equipment, or reverberation time to confirm whether project goals are met. If a space underperforms, consultants can help retrofit with targeted materials or finishes.

Why it Matters

Noise pollution doesn’t just interfere with tasks, it affects well-being. Excessive and sustained sound levels are linked to stress, reduced productivity, and long-term health impacts. In classrooms, poor acoustics impair learning. In healthcare, they can slow recovery and diminish patient satisfaction.

Ultimately, the real goal of acoustic design is to support the people using the space. The use of tested products and the guidance of acoustic consultants can help prevent post-occupancy complaints and improve quality of life for occupants. By treating acoustics as a core part of building design, not an afterthought, teams can deliver quieter, more functional spaces that work better for everyone on Day One!