Acoustics for Your Well-being

acoustics building materials home office space planning well-being workspace Feb 02, 2023

The sounds in our environment are something we may not always be conscious of or tuned into. However, sound is a prevalent factor in our brain activity that is almost always constant. Sound waves are a form of energy. The particle-wave path of light will transform into lattice vibrations when the photon interacts with molecules, which will result in phonons or vibrational energy known as sound. Acoustic wave propagation occurs differently than the wavelength path of light. Light waves move in a directional vector through air or matter or can also travel in a vacuum. Sound waves move in a three-dimensional concentric path through air or matter, requiring molecules to interact with. Imagine a stone being thrown into a still pool of water, just as you see the ripples move concentrically outwards from where the stone landed you are seeing a representation of phonon vibrations through the molecules of the water, or sound waves.

The vibrations that create sound reach our ear drum and the energy received by our ear transmits the signal through the acoustic nerve (also known as the vestibulocochlear) to our brain to perceive and interpret the sound or noise. Vibrations of molecules are occurring constantly in the environment. When we hear a breeze, it is the mass motion of molecules in the air that become a kinetic force and beat against our ear drum to create the sound. In the same way that light interactions occur with materials, sound interactions also occur with matter through reflection, transmission, and absorption.

Each type of sound quality is a result of the sound source and the spatial and material conditions of the room. Geometries of the space affect the sound propagation paths and potential for reflections or absorption to occur. Walls, surfaces, or components that are concave will tend to bounce sound back towards its original source. Components that are convex will tend to redirect sound to other areas of the room. The materials in our spaces also have a large influence on how we might perceive sound and noise – whether we are hearing reverberations and echoes or noise dampening or dead sound. Materials that are hard and smoothly finished will tend to reflect sound, creating enhanced volume or echoes. Materials that are soft and textured or porous will tend to absorb sound, creating reduced volume and dampening of noise.

Our perceptions of sound can translate into different emotions, feelings, and overall vibrational energy within the body. We may experience an ability to focus or rest when there is generally quiet conditions or subtle and peaceful sounds such as water or light bird chirps. On the other hand, we may experience a racing heart or anxiety when there is noisy commotion or sudden loud sounds that startle us. I am sure many people experienced the challenges of sounds and additional noise at home during the COVID-19 lockdowns with families and household members working and schooling from home simultaneously. This resulted in numerous acquisitions of noise-cancelling headphones so that each household member could experience their sound-space independently from each other. For longer-term and continued use of home workspaces, it is advisable to look for more permanent solutions such as creating acoustic partitioning for improved workspace conditions.

Sound therapy is also a mode for providing specific vibrational tones to the body for healing benefits. Vibrational energy from sound waves resonates at different frequencies, and studies show that frequencies between 92 Hz – 518 Hz provide different physical regenerative benefits to our body, while frequencies between 396 Hz – 963 Hz can create positive shifts in our mind. The concept of sound healing through brainwave entrainment occurs by listening to specific frequencies of sound generation, such as binaural beats when two tones of slightly different frequencies are played into each ear. Brainwave entrainment shifts the overall frequency of your brain’s vibrational energy, creating different pathways for thought patterns and consciousness. In addition, soundwaves at different frequencies have capabilities of exciting various cellular interactions, such as the increased production of nitric oxide (NO) at 528 Hz for improved cardiovascular health.

In order to reach the potential of our well-being, or to optimize our effectiveness in our workspace, we need to pay attention to the acoustics and sounds that are prevalent and have some control on this aspect of our designed spaces. Finding the right balance between the spatial conditions of a room, its adjacencies with other functions, and the integration of appropriate materials will help to define the acoustic conditions. In addition, we can begin to integrate regular sound therapy listening sessions into a daily routine for gaining additional physical and mental health benefits from the acoustic world.

If you have any questions about the most effective acoustic design strategies for your home workspace, reach out to AIDA, LLC today for a consultationYou can always find more information and healthy home resources at Aletheia Ida Design and Architecture, LLC (AIDA, LLC) at www.aletheiaida.com.