How To Handle Noise Pollution, A Helpful Guide

There’s nothing worse than looking for some peace and quiet and being met with a wall of noise. Whether you live in a full household, in a crowded city, or next door to a construction site, noise pollution is a problem. If you’re sensitive to loud noises, need to get some sleep, or get some work done, constant noise can be an issue. Unfortunately, you can’t always make the noise pollution go away, but there are ways around it to make things more bearable. 

Whether you’re stuck in a noisy situation or you want to learn more about protecting your peace and quiet, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know about noise pollution and how to make the best out of the cacophony! Follow this helpful guide and finally revel in some well-deserved peace and quiet at last!

Make sure you’re not the problem

The easiest way to reduce noise pollution is to make sure you’re not the one contributing to it. To do this, start by finding the source of the problem and where all the noise is coming from. Look for anything that rattles, things that bump together, or sound systems that don’t work properly. Turn off your noisy appliances when you’re not using them, and shut the door on them to block them out. Follow the noise limit levels and look for ways to do your work in a quieter way that doesn’t affect those around you. Look for ways to soundproof the machines in your office or workspace and make an effort to keep things quiet. Noise pollution can come from anywhere, even you! 

Fortify your home

If you can’t banish the noise, the best way to deal with it is to fortify your home or space to block it out. Your first step is to do your research and look up how you can soundproof your home or space from the inside. Since most noise from the outside comes through your windows, double-glazing them is a great first step. If you’re wondering if double glazing reduces noise, you’ll be happy to know that they do, and can do so up to 65%! Apart from windows, noise can enter your home through other spaces like loose-fitting doors, holes in the ceiling, and wall vents. Look for ways to block up these openings and spaces to reduce the amount of noise coming in from the outside. 

Use sound-absorbing materials

If the noise is coming from the inside of the room or space you’re living in, you need to find ways to absorb the sound. Sound waves bounce off of open, hard surfaces and end up echoing or making more noise in the process. Cover any hard, flat surfaces with soft, absorbent materials like cloth or sponge. Add some carpets to hard floors, cover your walls with paintings and rugs, and avoid any hard furniture. Take a page from music producers and soundproof your rooms and houses! Taking these steps will reduce the amount of sound bouncing around and creating noise pollution. If you’re renovating your home, look for ways to absorb more sound through the materials you use. 

Plant trees to prevent noise 

Another way to reduce noise pollution at home while helping the planet is to plant trees. Plants and vegetation, aside from providing oxygen, do a great job of absorbing sound. Leaves, shrubbery, and tree trunks absorb the passing sound waves and can help dim down any noise pollution up to 5 to 10 decibels around. You can plant trees and vegetation anywhere to reduce noise but to make it more effective, plant them in the direction of the noise. Plant your trees in rows to protect yourself from the noise, and the more you plant, the better! This might not be a quick fix, but it’s a great way to stop noise pollution in the long run and protect the planet. 

Tune out the noise with music

Sometimes, the only way to deal with non-stop noise pollution is to adapt and tune it out. Replacing one noise with another can sometimes be a neat solution to a loud environment. The most effective way to do this is to do your research and find some great earphones or headphones, noise-canceling ones are the better option. Once you’ve found some good headphones, pick something to replace the noise around you. You don’t have to match your earphones to the amount of noise outside. Whether you like to listen to classical music, the sound of waves, or heavy metal, the choice is yours! Keep the volume to a minimum to protect your hearing and enjoy listening to the “noise” of your choice!

Use earplugs

Last but not least, at the end of the day, the best way to isolate yourself from noise is to get some earplugs. Earplugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit and suit any noise-reduction need you may have. If the noise is stopping you from getting your work done, look for big, strong, and comfortable noise cancellers. If you’re struggling to fall asleep at night from the noise, look for discrete, and comfortable earplugs. Make sure the design of the plugs sits comfortably for long wear, and make sure to clean them regularly to avoid infection. If you can’t eliminate the noise or don’t want to replace it with something else, your best bet is a good pair of earplugs. 

So there you have it! With this guide in mind, you’re ready to block out and handle any noise pollution like a pro! For starters, make sure you’re not part of the problem and contributing to noise pollution. Fortify your home to block out the outside noise by blocking up any holes and openings and using the right building materials. To reduce noise pollution within your home, use sound-absorbing materials to stop the noise and the echoing. 

Save the planet and absorb noise pollution by planting trees around your home or area. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em and block out the sound with your own music. Last but not least, if all else fails, get yourself some high-quality comfortable earplugs to block out the noise. Keep this guide in mind and remember that stopping noise pollution starts with you!