ACOUSTICS AND AUTISM
To create a more comfortable environment for people with autism, it's also important to consider the sound-absorbing properties of your flooring.
Many individuals with autism have a heightened sensitivity to sound, and the wrong acoustics in a space can make it an uncomfortable or even unbearable place to be. For example, certain frequencies of sound can be more bothersome to people with autism than others. High-pitched sounds, like the squeak of a shoe on a shiny floor or the hum of fluorescent lights, can be particularly grating to some individuals.
Background noise
Background noise can also be highly disruptive, making it challenging to concentrate or process information, not only for individuals with autism but also for their caregivers and other healthcare professionals. Acoustic flooring can help reduce noise and create a more peaceful environment. Additionally, acoustic panels or ceiling tiles can also be used to absorb sound and create a quieter space.
TYPES OF SOUND
Sound can take one of two forms: airborne noise, or impact noise.
Impact noise Impact noise occurs following a physical impact on a building, or solid material. When impact sound occurs both sides of the building element vibrate, generating sound waves. As such, impact noises are often hardest to isolate.
In flooring, impact noise corresponds to the sound reduction under the emission room. The values are determined by the standards: NF EN ISO 140-8 (measurement) and NF EN ISO 717-2 (calculation). The ∆Lw value is expressed in decibels (dB). The higher the value of ∆Lw, the better the performance of the product in terms of reducing impact noise transmitted by floors.
Airborne noise This form of noise travels through the air and will either reflect off building elements when it hits them, be absorbed into acoustic dense materials or travel through building structures and be radiated out to the other side. When reflected, the noise level can increase, and when absorbed or allowed to travel through structures, the volume can be reduced.
In flooring, the ambient or walking noise (Ln,e,w) corresponds to the ability of the floor covering to reduce the impact noise generated in the room where it is laid. The values are measured according to the method of standard NF S 31-074. The Ln,e,w value is expressed in decibels (dB). The standard provides for a classification of the product according to the Ln,e,w value associated with it. The lower the Ln,e,w value, the better the performance of the product with respect to this property (class A the best).
Acoustic flooring is key
The best way to reduce sound is at the source. That’s why acoustic flooring is key when it comes to reducing noise in autism care facilities. A concrete floor and the acoustic flooring on top determines the sound efficiency.
Professional acoustic and textile (needle-punched, flocked, tufted) flooring offers a wide range of acoustic performance at impact sound ΔLw. All these products are Class A with respect to walking noise (Ln,e,w < 65 dB). The certification guarantees that the acoustic performance to impact noise of a professional floor covering under NF UPEC. A+ is equal to or greater than the certified value, the product being class A in walking noise.
Example of a decibel measurement with a 15dB acoustic floor covering on three different thicknesses of concrete slab:
Flooring products with impact sound properties
Flooring products with sound absorption properties
αw=0.05 is 5% of sound absorption