Definitions Flashcards
Acoustics
The science of Sound. Its production, transmission and effects. The branch of physics that treats the phenomena and laws of sounds as it effects people.
Acoustical
The properties of a material to absorb or reflect Sound (adjective) Acoustically, (Adverb).
Acoustical Analisis
A review of a space to determine the level of reverberation or reflected sound in the space (in seconds) influenced by the building materials used to construct the space. Also the amount of acoustical absorption required to reduce reverberation and noise.
Acoustical Environment
The acoustical characteristics of a space or room influenced by the amount of acoustical absorption, or lack of it in the space.
Airborne Noise
Noise that arrives at a point of interest by propagation through the air.
Airborne Sound
Sound that reaches the point of interest by propagation through air.
Architectural Acoustics
The control of noise in a building space to adequately support the communications function within the space and its effect on the occupants. The qualities of the building materials used determine its character with respect to distinct hearing.
Deals with sound in rooms and building to make them quiet – or to provide improved conditions for listening and understanding speech or music.
Articulation Class
A single number rating used for comparing acoustical ceilings and acoustical screens for speech privacy purposes. AC values increase with increasing privacy and range from approximately 100-250. This classification supercedes Speech Privacy Noise Isolation Class (NIC) rating method.
Articulation Index (AI)
A measure of speech intelligibility influenced by Acoustical Environment rated from 0.01 to 1.00.The higher the number the higher the intelligibility of words and sentences understood from 0-100%.
Absorption
The properties of a material composition to convert sound energy into heat thereby reducing the amount of energy that can be reflected.
Area Effect
Acoustical materials spaced apart can have greater absorption than same amount of material butted together. The increase in efficiency is due to absorption by soft exposed edges and also to diffraction of sound energy around panel perimeters.
Assistive Listening Device
An electronic device that provides amplification of sound to a hearing impaired person. Device include personal hearing aids, magnetic induction loops, FM radio systems and infrared systems. All have advantages and disadvantages and some may be dependent on good acoustical environment for optimal performance.
Attenuation
The reduction of sound energy as a function of distance traveled. (See also Inverse Square Law).
A Weighting
An electronic filtering system in a sound meter that allows meter to largely ignore lower frequency sounds in a similar fashion to the way our ears do.
Ambient Noise/Sound
Noise level in a space from all sources such as HVAC or extraneous sounds from outside the space. Masking sound or low-level background music can contribute to ambient level of sound or noise.
Background Noise
The sum total of all noise generated from all direct and reflected sound sources in a space that can represent an interface to good listening and speech intelligibility. (Hearing impaired persons are especially victimized by background noise).
Baffle
A free hanging acoustical sound absorbing unit. Normally suspended vertically in a variety of patterns to introduce absorption into a space to reduce reverberation and noise levels.
Barrier
Anything physical or an environment that interferes with communication or listening. A poor acoustical environment can be a barrier to good listening and especially so for persons with a hearing impairment.
Bel
A measurement of sound intensity named in honour of Alexander Graham Bell. First used to relate intensity to a level corresponding to hearing sensation.
Bloominess
Low frequency reflections. In small rooms acoustical panels with air space behind can better help control low frequency reflectivity
Cloud
In acoustical industry terms, an acoustical panel suspended in a horizontal position from ceiling/roof structure. Similar to a baffle but in a horizontal position
Cocktail Party Effect
Sound in a noisy crowded room generated mostly by conversation. Levels rise and fall as people compete with one another to be heard. Perception of speech can be nearly impossible in high levels of noise
Cochlea
A snail shaped mechanism in the inner ear that contain hair cells of basilar membrane that vibrate to aid in frequency recognition.
Cycle
In acoustics, the cycle is the complete oscillation of pressure above and below the atmospheric static pressure
Cycles Per Second
The number of oscillations that occur in the time frame of one second. Low frequency sounds have fewer and longer oscillations.
Damping
The dissipation of vibratory energy in solid media and structures with time or distance. It is analogous to the absorption of sound in air
Decibel (dB)
Sound level in decibels as a logarithmic ratio. Sound intensity described in decibels.
i. e:
- Breathing - 5dB
- Office Activity - 50dB
- Jet Aircraft During Takeoff at 300’ Distance - 130dB
Deflection
The distance an elastic body or spring moves when subjected to a static or dynamic force. Typical units are inches or mm.
Deaf
Loss of auditory sensation with or without use of assistive listening device. Loss of hearing more severe than is generally characterised as “hearing impaired”
Diffusion
The scattering or random reflection of a sound wave from a surface. The directions of reflected sound is changed so that listeners my have sensation of sound coming from all directions at equal levels