White Noise or Fight Noise? How to Reduce Sound Creep
September 24, 2015
Sound creep isn’t what you call some guy that stomps around in the upstairs apartment, though he certainly could be one cause of it. Sound creep refers to unwelcome noise from outside your apartment that’s made its way inside. It doesn’t matter how much you love big-band music, the Packers, or a good belly laugh: if you didn’t ask for their sounds to be in your apartment, it can be annoying to have to listen to them there.
White-Noise Solutions
While noise-cancelling headphones can work wonders, it’s not practical to make them a permanent part of your wardrobe. That’s why many people turn to white-noise solutions at home, from running a fan to playing recordings of rain or ocean waves. There are ample white noise tracks available for download from iTunes and Amazon Music. There are also little “white-noise machines that you can purchase at a relatively low cost. Plug one into the wall, dial it to the sound and volume you want, and voila. Many doctors’ offices use these machines in their waiting areas, so that patients have better privacy when talking with reception staff. If you’re among those who doesn’t find the hum of white noise distracting, this is a quick and easy solution to a lot of sound creep.
The original white-noise machine:
Fight-Noise Solutions
Ever noticed how much louder noises are in an empty room? Turning an unfurnished apartment into a furnished one automatically fights sound creep, because the furnishings, curtains, blankets, and such absorb sound. There are several ways you can manipulate the acoustics of your apartment to further fight sound creep. For example, placing a well-stocked bookshelf against a wall that’s next to a neighbor’s apartment can help muffle noise creep. If possible, situate the head of your bed so that it’s not against a shared wall. Adding thick area rugs or insulated curtains can help, too. Decorative acoustic tiles are one of the latest and greatest fight-noise solutions out there. They pull double-duty as wall art and mufflers.
Acoustic Weave Tiles by MIO
When sound creep gets out of control, it’s always important to let management know. Your home is your refuge, and we want to make sure it feels that way.
