| Noise can be a nuisance and worse of all it stalks | | | | and echo -- in an air cavity like a drum. |
| us in our own homes, thanks to the neighbors. | | | | • Dampened. Uses chemically engineered paste |
| About 100 million Americans share walls with | | | | or strips to transform the energy of sound into |
| strangers, many in acoustical slums. In U.S. Census | | | | heat. |
| Bureau surveys, people consistently rate noise | | | | • Isolated. Uses nonconductive materials, in wall |
| ahead of crime, traffic and other social ills as a | | | | clips or pads, to isolate the transmission of |
| primary reason they want to move. | | | | vibrations between objects. |
| Noise can be beyond frustrating. All this thumping, | | | | There are several additional tactics you can use |
| rock and roll and screaming that barges uninvited | | | | immediately: |
| into our bedrooms is a known stressor. Noise also | | | | Use white noise: That is, a consistent, rhythmic |
| makes us ineffective and cranky, raises our blood | | | | hum might help mask light sound and divert your |
| pressure and robs us of decent sleep. | | | | attention. You can find machines or CDs, or try |
| And now for the bad news: Much of what we've | | | | fans or water fountains. |
| been doing to block the noise doesn't work. If you | | | | Isolate the problem. Bass, that low boom from |
| have tried carpet on the wall, blankets, corkboard | | | | your neighbor's stereo, takes a lot of energy to |
| or egg cartons, you have probably realized by | | | | produce. These low-frequency sound waves are |
| now, they don’t work. While these materials | | | | especially hard to combat since they travel far |
| do line makeshift music studios, they are meant | | | | and wide, bending easily around objects. It's why |
| to absorb sound already in the room, therefore | | | | foghorns use them, and why when thunder is |
| improving the quality. Exterior noise still gets in. It | | | | distant you hear only its low rumble. |
| just bounces around for a bit less time. | | | | Try to block the sound's path by putting special |
| If the noise is enough to bother you, it will still | | | | "isolation pads" or "noise-vibration pads" under |
| bother you after stapling egg cartons to your | | | | your bedposts. Ask your neighbor if you can put |
| ceiling. Even some products advertised as cure-alls | | | | pads under his TV, treadmill or washing machine |
| on the Internet are far from it. Worse, some | | | | to better attack the problem at the source. |
| construction contractors, unversed in the complex | | | | If the noise is really bad sometimes the landlord |
| details of soundproofing, have been known to | | | | will get involved because he realizes he can't get |
| choose or install ineffective soundproofing | | | | top dollar with these noise issues. |
| products, leaving the client with a bill but no relief. | | | | Know your rights: Learn about sound ratings |
| But don't give up hope for peace just yet. It is | | | | required for buildings in your area before talking to |
| possible to engage in a little "acoustical | | | | the landlord or building association. The information |
| self-defense, so long as you understand how | | | | will better arm you for coverage of upgrades. If |
| sound travels, can identify the source of the | | | | needed, a real-estate lawyer might help you |
| problem and know to hunt for the right | | | | recover costs or get out of a lease. |
| combination of products. | | | | What you should not do is: |
| To start, you need to understand how sound | | | | • Knock under the influence (of anger): Yes, it's |
| works. Sound is a vibration: the quiver of a violin | | | | hard to wait, but it will serve your needs better if |
| string under a bow; the rattle of vocal cords; the | | | | you can work calmly and pragmatically with your |
| impact of a shoe against the floor. The vibration | | | | neighbor. Plus, these things can escalate. |
| excites molecules -- in air, liquid or solid -- that in | | | | • Save police for a last resort: Even nice |
| turn excite the molecules beside them, and so on, | | | | people turn not so nice after you call the cops. It |
| forming a radiating wave of pressure. This | | | | might fix a big event, but it could further amplify |
| pressure wave, received as sound, continues until | | | | day-to-day noise problems. |
| it naturally dissipates or until it is: | | | | • Avoid another bad situation: If you must |
| • Blocked. This requires mass -- very | | | | move, don't rush. Take time to visit potential |
| high-density materials -- to act as a barrier. Lead | | | | apartments at different times of day to evaluate |
| works; foam doesn't. | | | | their noise levels. You can find additional tips for |
| • Absorbed. Uses insulation materials to absorb | | | | quiet-apartment hunting here. |
| vibrations that would otherwise bounce around -- | | | | |