What are L10 and L90 — and how do you measure them with a phone? Recently someone asked me: “How do I measure L90 and L10 values?” If you’ve ever Googled that question, you probably found some dense environmental acoustics
Best of 2025 – noise in the news It’s an annual tradition: we gather some notable stories and studies about noise, by month. The concerns are often the same from year, and often no solutions are offered — only data.
Remembering Arline A leader who worked tirelessly to solve noise issues In October 2025, we lost a leader, a mentor, and a friend: Dr. Arline Bronzaft. She worked tirelessly for decades on noise issues. From her pioneering research on the
Battery-powered leaf blowers make significantly less noise. Yes, battery-powered leaf blowers still make noise. They can exceed over 80 decibels. But the noise from these rechargeable blowers doesn’t travel as far. And from what I’ve seen, their output averages in
Sownd Affects is an “audio-inclusive” problem-solver When Marion Marincat lost his hearing at the age of 26, he turned this life-changing event into an opportunity to explore audio and noise issues. Using data analysis along with his background in architecture,
How do you block noise from fireworks? They might be fun to look at, but loud noise from fireworks can be a huge stressor for pets and their human companions. And it’s also big business for companies that sell “relaxing”
Best of 2024 – noise in the news In 2024, the media covered noise as a public-health issue, which is not a new topic, but it’s an unresolved one. We’re also seeing some new, concerning issues. For example, some communities
“The Quietest Year” explores the impact of noise on some communities in Vermont What comes to mind when you think of Vermont? You might picture an idyllic environment with beautiful trees, friendly neighbors, progressive values, and quietness. But after watching
Having trouble recording structure-borne noise? Try this. If you’ve got a persistent hum or low-frequency sound in your building, it gets very pervasive. Yet when you try to measure the decibels or record the noise, it’s hard to capture accurately.
Can I use bio products like hemp and mycelium for soundproofing? If you’ve searched for information on sustainable home-building products, you’ve probably seen references to industrial hemp or mycelium. Certainly, hemp is touted as a carbon-neutral, non-toxic, sustainable alternative to