Blog

Age induced hearing loss is a serious life altering condition, where one in three people over the age of 60, and one in two people over the age of 85, experience some type of age induced hearing loss.

Although it’s common, it’s not an easy adjustment to make. Recognizing the symptoms right away can make for a smoother transition into managing hearing changes with age.

Because so many factors can contribute to hearing loss as you get older, it can be difficult to distinguish it from noise induced hearing loss. While there is no single cause, it is most notably caused by changes in the inner ear that occur as you grow older.

Common Causes of Age Induced Hearing Loss

• Diabetes

• Poor circulation

• Exposure to loud noises

• Use of certain medications

• Family history of hearing loss

• Smoking

Hearing Changes with Age

Many people who experience hearing changes with age feel like a burden to family and friends talking around them, and begin to isolate themselves. Adding acoustic treatments, such as fabric sound panels, in social spaces at home can diminish sound clutter for cleaner room acoustics and more intelligible conversation for everyone. Incorporating acoustic treatments into these spaces early after the first signs of hearing loss can make the transition easier for everyone.

Symptoms of Age Induced Hearing Loss

• Muffled or distorted hearing

• Difficulty understanding phone calls

• Increasing TV and radio volumes higher than normal

• Feeling of pressure or fullness in your ears

• Ringing in the ears when in quiet places

• Inability to hear someone talking three feet away

If you or someone you know is experiencing trouble hearing at home, or if you simply wish to improve sound quality, check out our fabric sound panels or call an Audimute Acoustic Specialist at (866) 505-MUTE for personalized advice on soundproofing and acoustic solutions for your space.

Did you know April is Jazz Appreciation Month? It was created at the National Museum of American History and is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz – to study the music, attend concerts, and listen to jazz on radio and recordings and more.1 In honor of jazz, we’re going to round out April with an interview from the company’s founder and president, Mitch Zlotnik, an avid jazz drummer, who gave us a candid look into his history with Jazz and how Audimute, and ultimately One Wish (Audimute's parent company), was born.

Q: How did you become interested in Jazz?

A: I’m a very passionate drummer. I have been playing the drums since the seventh grade. I was always interested in Rock music, but I started listening to a lot of Contemporary jazz. I moved back from college and needed to decide whether to rent a house or an apartment. I couldn’t have my drums in an apartment, so I went with the house. I started jamming with friends. People that we knew ended up asking us to play at events and One Wish was born.

Q: Why One Wish? Why that name?

A: Our Sax player named the band One Wish. It’s actually the name of a jazz song by Hiroshima.

Q: What do you love the most about Jazz?

A: The free form nature of the music. Jazz is funky, it only takes one note to impress someone. You can change the flavors of jazz in order to change the emotional impact of the song. Jazz music has standards, but, solos make the difference. One of my favorite things about the people of Jazz was their willingness to play together and teach fellow musicians. Jazz players are virtuosos with a strong discipline, but are always willing to teach and allow others to improve their skills. A group of jazz musicians that have never played together, but can play the same song, can come together and put their own spin on those standards to turn them into solos.

Q: What was your most memorable time in the band?

A: Playing with the band and other musicians was always a good time, but some of the most memorable times were opening up for George Benson and The Rippingtons. We also shared the stage with Michael McDonald and Fourplay with Bob James which was very cool.

Q: When did you become interested in acoustic solutions?

A: I needed to find a way to be quiet, to stop people from calling the cops so I started creating variations of the products that we have today at Audimute. These products gave me the clarity of sound and allowed me to perfect my form, ultimately making me a better musician. The products gave me anticipated results that were intentional & consistent.

Q: How is One Wish the band like One Wish the company?

A: An extraordinary focus on the customer and their experience is the underlying commonality between One Wish the band and the company today. A close second would be a work hard/ play hard value and remembering to add an element of FUN in everything you do. "This is life. It's not a dress rehearsal."

Mitch still plays the drums in his free time, but creating sound solutions for his customers is just as satisfying as playing for him. He considers it an art form, a creative process.

Resources: 1 The National Museum of American History. “Jazz Appreciation Month” Retrieved on April 17, 2016. http://americanhistory.si.edu/smithsonian-jazz/jazz-appreciation-month

Whether it’s noise induced hearing loss or hearing changes with age, sound intensity and volume plays a prominent role in maintaining or altering hearing health.

Our lives are noisy and undeniably surrounded by sound. With so many sound frequencies hitting our ear drums, it’s important to know at what level sound becomes damaging.

So how loud is too loud?

Everyone experiences sound differently, making pain from noise volumes subjective. However, just because a sound doesn’t initially hurt someone’s ears doesn’t mean it isn’t doing irreversible damage.

According to Hear the World Foundation, “even low noise levels can trigger the release of stress hormones, leading to increased blood pressure. This in turn can lead to aggressive behavior and tensions in interactions with other people, as well as an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and tinnitus.”¹

Bottom line, sound levels affect us in many ways – most of which are overlooked.

Common Sound Pressure Ratings:

Sound level intensity is measured in decibels (dB). When a sound increases by 10 dB, our ears perceive it as twice as loud, meaning 50 dB is twice as loud as 40dB. A normal conversation rating is 60dB. Here are eight common sound pressure ratings:

     • Normal conversation - 60 dB

     • Heavy city traffic - 85 dB

     • Motorcycles - 95 dB

     • Metal shop – 100 dB

     • MP3 player max volume - 105 dB

     • Chainsaw – 120 dB

     • Sirens – 120 dB

     • Firecrackers and firearms - 150 dB

Using an adapted example from Hear the World Foundation, imagine you and a friend are standing 3 feet apart:

     • At 70 dB, a conversation can be held at normal volume

     • At 90 dB, conversational voices must be raised

     • At 100 dB, a conversation must be shouted

     • From 105 dB and above, conversation is no longer possible¹

The maximum recommended sound level intensity time per day is 8 hours at 85 db, roughly the sound of a busy street. For every 3 dB noise pressure increase, that maximum exposure time is cut in half, meaning at 95 dB (around the recorded level of factory work) the recommendation is only 4 hours.

So how can your hearing be protected?

Protect Your Hearing

Wearing protective gear like ear muffs or installing soundproofing and acoustic treatments can make all the difference in the longevity of your hearing health.

Do you live in the city? Do you live near an airport, fire station, or factory? Do you work in a repair shop, manufacturing plant, or around loud machinery? You can block or absorb sound waves before they’re able to reach and injure your ears with powerful solutions like:

     • Acoustic panels

     • Acoustic tiles

     • Acoustic ceiling clouds and baffles

     All of these sound solutions can be completely customized to fit your space, style, and needs.

Want to incorporate soundproofing into a space you’re building? Check out Peacemaker^®, Audimute’s versatile sound barrier. Made from recycled rubber, Peacemaker offers both the professional and DIY builder an easy to install, reasonably light, and very effective noise barrier.

It’s impossible to always avoid dangerous sound level intensity, but it is possible to protect yourself from it.

If you’re ready to protect your hearing health at home or work, but you’re unsure where to start, call an Acoustic Specialist today at (866) 505-MUTE for personalized advice.

Resources:

¹ Hear the World Foundation. “How Loud is Too Loud? When Does Noise Become Dangerous?” Accessed April 26, 2016. http://www.hear-the-world.com/en/hearing-and-hearing-loss/noise-how-loud-is-too-loud.html.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we wanted to take the time to acknowledge the dedicated and impactful champions of our nation’s education.

Education is a foundational necessity to human growth and success. With so much on the line, educators and educational leaders are constantly trying to develop and employ new and effective ways of teaching and promoting academic success.

As sound solution experts, we’re particularly focused on classroom acoustics. It’s imperative that educators are able to convey their lessons in an environment that students of all ages are capable of hearing, focusing, and retaining information.

The sound quality in classrooms, lecture halls, and auditoriums matter.

In late 2014, the Wall Street Journal shared the results of a study that tested the effects of classroom soundproofing materials on students’ learning and understanding. The study, performed by Applied Acoustics, found that a classroom with effective, high-quality soundproofing, sound-absorbing materials will see positive changes in student learning.

     • 86% of students said they heard the teacher more clearly>

     • 66% of students said it was easier to concentrate on lessons

Overall, this study shows the positive changes acoustic tiles make in regards to echo, reverberation, and speech intelligibility. What it also does is bridge the gap between the effects of acoustic panels for classrooms on students and what they mean for teachers.¹

A powerful 2012 survey conducted by the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment showed 23% of teachers working in schools with poor acoustics were considering leaving their jobs. The most commonly cited reason is the additional stress caused by excessive noise and reverberation in the classroom.

Additionally, teachers found themselves continuously straining their voices to be heard over the high noise volumes. Because of this, teachers would experience long- and short-term voice issues, such as hoarseness and lower vocal ranges. By simply including acoustic treatments into the design and layout of classrooms, schools can show the responsibility they take over their employee’s health and safety and student learning.²

Acoustic panels for classrooms are designed to absorb the noise bouncing off hard surfaces like desks and chalkboards. This reduces both the sound pressure in the classroom and the volume at which a teacher must speak at in order to be heard. This creates a more cognitive classroom for students and a less stressful work environment for educators.

Every noise issue is different. Audimute Acoustic Panels offers a range of classroom soundproofing materials in:

• Customizable sizes

• Geometric shapes

• Various finishes, including image, fabric, and paint coatings to provide unique acoustic treatments for every application

We construct our panels from our signature eco-C-tex™ recycled material, the greenest sound absorption product on the market and safest alternative to competitor’s fiberglass fillers. Our panels are NRC rated for sound absorption capabilities and Class A fire rated for safety in commercial spaces.

We understand the positive change acoustic solution materials bring to a classroom.

Our Acoustic Specialists are here to answer any questions and offer personalized advice for your school or classroom today. Give us a call at (866)505-MUTE or fill out our free room analysis form.

From all of us at Audimute Acoustic Panels, thank you for all of your hard work at educating the minds of the future.

Resources:

¹ The Wall Street Journal. “Boosting Students’ Learning With Soundproofing.” Accessed April 26, 2016. http://www.wsj.com/articles/boosting-students-learning-with-soundproofing-1418061926.

² Nielsen, Mathias Hedegaard. ScienceNordic. “Poor classroom acoustics drive teachers away.” Accessed April 26, 2016. http://sciencenordic.com/poor-classroom-acoustics-drive-teachers-away.

A noisy classroom environment can limit the academic success of today’s students. Children are not as skilled as adults at staying focused when distractions of any kind ensure – especially sound distractions.

Children with normal hearing can miss as much as 1/3 of the words in a teacher’s message when they are listening in an environment with poor acoustics, according to ClassroomHearing.org.¹ An even greater percentage of the teacher’s message is lost when a child already suffers from hearing difficulties and loss.

To remedy a noisy, distracting classroom, effective sound-absorbing acoustic treatments can benefit all children and promote a thriving learning environment for both student and teacher.

Why do classrooms have poor acoustics? 

The acoustical problems found inside classrooms happen because of the hard, reflective surfaces and problematic background noise. Classrooms use hard surfaces, like desks and chalk boards, because they are easy to clean and care for. These hard surfaces cause excessive reverberations which can muffle a teacher’s speech, preventing children from clearly comprehending a teacher’s message.

Background noise can also be distracting in the classroom. Noise traveling through doors and windows, either from the street or neighboring classrooms, can be very distracting for young students. In addition the outside noise, HVAC systems and other service elements within the classroom can create more unwanted noise.

Both students and teachers suffer in classroom environments with excessive noise and reverberation. Teachers are forced to speak louder in these environments to ensure that the noise is not interfering with their students’ learning skills. Teachers suffer from voice fatigue and children suffer from an unproductive learning environment.

Sound Solutions for Classrooms

Classroom noise does not have to be something schools simply deal with. There are solutions, both big and small, that administrators can implement to reduce problematic classroom noise. Noise from reverberation is usually easy to fix; simply adding soft materials – like blankets and curtains – to the walls and ceilings will make a significant difference. For a reliable and effective acoustic solution, NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) rated products, like Audimute’s acoustic panels, acoustic tiles, and acoustic clouds and baffles will provide consistent sound absorption in the classroom.

Doors and windows can either be replaced entirely or sealed off with a product like Audimute’s door seal kit. Sound travels through the air gaps that surround the doors and windows. To check for these gaps turn off the lights in the hallways and leave the classroom lights on, the gaps will be then be apparent.

Treating the noise from an HVAC system is slightly more problematic. HVAC units can either be enclosed or replaced entirely with a quieter system. The goal is to have an HVAC system that produces an optimum noise level, which is typically 35 dBA in a classroom.

Classroom noise can inhibit students’ academic success and create unnecessary stress for teachers. If you are an administrator dealing with classroom noise, we can help. Give our sound solution experts a call at 866-505-MUTE, or check our resource center for classroom acoustics for additional noise reduction tips.

As a company born from the love of music and sound, we catch ourselves these days living vicariously through musicians who release their one-of-a-kind art and sound into the world. It’s always an honor to learn that our acoustic panels are helping musicians create desired sounds and aid in their artistic process.

We caught up with Jerry Jean, a New York City based award-winning songwriter, arranger, producer, and musician. Read what he had to say about his path to becoming a musician and his experience with Audimute’s acoustic panels:

Q. Tell us about your path to becoming a songwriter and music producer.

A. I took violin and piano lessons from a young age and went to NYU to study vocal performance. Upon graduation, I worked as a freelance musician in New York, playing shows and contributing keyboards and strings on both indie and major label records. I also coached singers frequently and taught music theory at my alma mater. Although I was grateful making a living as a musician, I did not feel I was leaving a tangible record of my own music. So in 2010, I expanded my focus to encompass writing and producing. I’ve since released 3 EPs, and am currently working on my first solo full-length album.

Q. Tell us about your songwriting process. Where do you find creativity and inspiration?

A. Sometimes there is no predetermined subject, and I simply begin by improvising while singing at the piano. I let the subconscious determine the song as I play novel chord changes and vocalize whatever comes out: spontaneous refrains, wordless melismas, whatever. It's a rather vulnerable, private practice. I record these explorations on my phone, listen back, rinse and repeat. Other times, I set out to encapsulate a predetermined emotion, vibe, or event taken from life experience, either from my own or from what I observe from other people. When the song's seed is predetermined, the process will still go back to the improvisatory method I mentioned previously. These explorations are ultimately refined into the lyrics and music that win out.

Q. What is important to you when you start to produce a new sound or a song?

A. It’s important to be genuine, and to create something that can stand the test of time. This means investing effort and money not only to improving the songwriting and performance in the songs, but also to the technical aspects of proper recording, mixing, etc.

Q. You use acoustic panels on your studio wall. When did you realize you needed to improve the acoustics in your studio?

A. I installed the panels in late 2011, shortly after deciding to convert my spare room into my studio. The room was initially full of undesired reverberations. When I was coaching singers and they sang loud notes, the entire room shook with reverb. Although singers sometimes enjoyed this phenomenon, I knew it would be detrimental when recording since I wouldn’t be able to remove the excessive sound reflections. I ultimately installed 8 large Audimute panels. They have a stylish aesthetic, and are totally functional.

Q. How do acoustic panels help you achieve a desired sound?

A. The paneling effectively absorbs the unwanted reverb. Combined with my room’s carpeting and furnishings, the panels keep the sound controlled to my taste. More paneling would dampen sound reflections even more, but I wanted to maintain a modest element of liveness in the room so didn't go overboard with coverage.

Q. What successes have you seen as a result of using Audimute's acoustic panels?

A. My song Your Love, created completely in my music room, was a winner in the International Songwriting Competition. It now has over 50,0000 views online, and the Audimute panels can be seen in the studio performance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYymQbVah54.

My EPs Your Love and Fighting For You have both charted on iTunes, and I’m steadily improving my craft with each new project. Since setting up my studio, I haven’t had to make any adjustments to the paneling, and it remains an integral part of my daily listening environment. Not being bogged down with technical issues like proper room treatment allows me to focus my energies on making music and growing as a writer / producer. While working on my new full-length record, I’ve recorded live strings, horns, vocals, acoustic basses and guitars in my studio. The panels help me obtain clean recordings during each session while making listening back more accurate. Visually, they also complement the vibe of the room.

To learn more about Jerry, connect with him below:

Official website: http://www.jerryjean.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jerryjeanmusic

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/jerryjeanmedia

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jerryjeanmusic

When shopping for the acoustic solution that will best solve your sound issues and best fit your space’s style, acoustic panels and acoustic tiles can both get the job done. But there are differences between the two. Let’s look at a side-by-side comparison:

Style needs and desires can help you determine which solution will work best for you.

Audimute’s Acoustic Panels

Our acoustic panels are perfect for making your space come to life with vivid, high-quality images. Browse our galleries of popular images or upload your own personal photo, logo, or design for a personal touch.

Looking for a more classic look? Find just what your space needs with customary, luxury, and designer acoustic fabrics for a finished look unique to your space.

Audimute’s Acoustic Tiles

Acoustic fabric tiles bring a clean-cut, professional look to any space. With a wide-range of fabrics to choose from, you can match any design theme.

AcoustiColor™ Tiles and Audimute Acoustic Shapes will add personality, vibrant color, and fun shapes and configurations to your walls. Choose from seven standard sizes and thousands of color options to create your desired wall art.

Head on over to our acoustic panel vs. acoustic tile treatment comparison page to find more information on how these acoustic solutions differ.

When you realize you have a sound issue in your space, where do you start when seeking a solution?

Quickly searching for soundproofing solutions may seem to make complete sense. But solving an acoustical issue isn’t a one size fits all solution.

There are two-sides to the acoustic solutions story: the well-known soundproofing and the less-known, but effective, sound absorption.

So, what’s the difference?

Soundproofing

Soundproofing is the prevention of the passage of sound. Soundproofing products stop or block sound from leaving or entering a room.

Soundproofing materials and products are typically found inside walls, making soundproofing efforts inconvenient to accomplish once a structure is built. Different than sound absorption materials (as we will discuss next), soundproofing materials are typically dense and made to separate two sides of a wall.

Sound Absorption

Sound absorption is the process by which sound waves are taken in or soaked up by soft surfaces. Sound absorption materials absorb unwanted noise, like an echo, within a room.

The misconception that sound solutions are soundproof-based commonly occurs. But when fixing sound issues, blocking all sound is not always the best or desired solution.

Products like acoustic panels, tiles, clouds, and ceiling baffles are all effective sound absorption products that are designed to dampen reverberation and reduce reflected sound in a properly treated space.

Additionally, when researching an effective, accurate sound solution for your space, it’s important to know that products that block sound and products that absorb sound are subject to entirely different rating systems for efficacy.

Sound absorption products are given a NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) rating, while sound blocking (or soundproofing) materials are given a STC (Sound Transmission Class).

While both acoustic products reduce unwanted sound, they accomplish sound reduction by different means, and are best suited to different applications.

Check out our video to see the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption.

Sound solutions just got edgier. With the launch of our AcoustiColor Accent Ceiling Baffles featuring three new styled edges, you can take your design possibilities in a whole new direction. Whether you're establishing simplicity in your space or looking to make a dramatic statement with your sound solution, these new AcoustiColor Accent Baffles will bring any ceiling to life, according to your design motif.

Bring the City to Life

These individually crafted, non-traditional baffles seek to not only control reverberated sound and reduce unwanted noise, but to also represent a city's iconic skyline. You can take these baffles in a number of design directions.

Make Some Waves

Create a free-flowing feel in your space with these wavy acoustic baffles.

• Hang them in straight lines along your ceiling to create a smooth waved look.

-or-

• Hang them in a staggered pattern along your ceiling to create an edgier, boisterous design pattern. 

Think Outside the Box 

Turn heads upward by creating a geometric inspired atmosphere with these AcoustiColor Accent polygon-edge Baffles.

• Place the same polygon design on every acoustic baffle you order.

-or-

• Mix and match whole rectangle acoustic baffles with these polygon-edge baffles.

Complete your geometric theme by adding Audimute Acoustic Shapes polygon acoustic tiles to your wall.

The best design news yet? As with all of our acoustic solutions, you can match them to any Sherwin Williams paint color with the AcoustiColor^® option.

Get in touch with one of our Sound Solution Experts today at (866) 505-MUTE to discuss your unique space, sound issue, and goals for creating a remarkable acoustic experience.

It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked here at Audimute. “What exactly is an NRC?”

 Well, in technical terms, it is a scalar representation of the amount of sound energy absorbed upon striking a surface.

I know, that sounds like something you heard from your fifth grade science teacher once upon a time and forgot all about - so what exactly is a noise reduction coefficient? Do NRC ratings really matter? (We’ll give you this one - yes they do!)

I’m here to break it down for you and share with you the 5 most important things you need to know about Noise Reduction Coefficients.

1.) NRCs are an average rating of how much sound an acoustic product can absorb. This rating is important to know because it determines just how much quieter an acoustic product will make your space.

It’s easier to understand if you compare an acoustic panel to a sponge. Like a sponge absorbs water, an acoustic panel absorbs sound and NRCs tell us just how much sound it can soak up.

2.) NRC ratings vary on a scale from 0 to 1. An NRC of 0 means that the acoustic product is perfectly reflective – absorbs no sound, while an NRC of 1 means the acoustic product is perfectly absorptive – absorbs all sound.

The formulas used to find a product’s NRC does not result in a percentage and therefore, values larger than 1 are possible - like our bass traps that have a NRC of 1.15, but we’re not bragging. ;)

If you’re on the hunt for a solution to a noise problem in your space, you’ll want to look for acoustic products with high NRC ratings. The higher the NRC, the more sound the product will soak up.

3.) Thickness & density of a product are two really big factors in determining an NRC.

Here at Audimute we offer acoustic products in varying thicknesses. Thicker, less dense acoustic products absorb more. Thinner, more dense products absorb less.

4.) Acoustic product NRCs are determined using a microphone and fancy equipment that measures sound frequencies.

Well at least ours are. There are a few different ways to determine NRCs. We use the ASTM Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption.

5.) Soundproofing products do not have NRCs.

NRCs apply to absorption products, while STC ratings apply to soundproofing products.

If you’re not an acoustic expert - and we don’t expect you to be, it’s really easy to assume that all acoustic products are ‘soundproofing’ products. Not all acoustic products are created equal. You can learn more about the differences here.

If you’re interested in creating an amazing sound experience in your space with high ranking NRC products, give ourexperienced acoustic specialists a call or fill out a free room analysis form to find the perfect acoustic solution for you!

Resources:

http://www.alionscience.com/About-Alion/Labs-and-Facilities/Acoustics/Riverbank-Acoustical-Laboratories/Lab-Features