4 ways the home can be adjusted to support autistic children and adults who are hyper-sensitive to noise.
21 January 2025
BY NEUROKIND DESIGN
The Research
Research exploring the impact of noise on autistic children suggests that reducing decibel (noise) levels in a room to 55dB or less increases attention, as well as reducing behaviour associated with auditory stress (i.e. repetitive movement, repetitive speech, covering of ears, hitting, producing loud sounds, and blocking eyes). [i] [ii] [iii] A study by Architect and Researcher, Magda Mostafa, found that acoustically modifying a classroom to reduce echo and external noise penetration significantly improved autistic students’ attention span and response times. [iii] In this case, acoustical modifications involved soundproofing the classroom floor, walls, and ceiling surfaces, which reduced the average background noise from 65.5dB to 52.5dB. As a result of reducing noise levels in the classroom, students exhibited an attention span that was three-times greater than normal. In addition, the study found that reducing noise levels decreased the time it took students to respond when addressed by educators. Specifically, students’ median response time improved from 25.5 seconds before soundproofing to 7 seconds after.
It is clear, from the studies discussed, that reducing decibel levels benefits autistic individuals who are sensitive to the noises in their environment. To the average person, the term decibels is not a unit of measurement often used and doesn’t mean a whole lot in the context of everyday life. As such, it may be helpful to provide some examples of the average decibel levels of common sounds we encounter.
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Leaves in the wind - 20dB
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Normal conversation - 60dB
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Taking a shower - 70dB
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Vacuum cleaner - 75dB
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Alarm clock - 80dB
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Lawnmower - 90dB [iv]
Here, we aim to uncomplicate environmental/interior design in relation to sound and acoustics by outlining four simple and achievable ways in which the home environment can be adapted to reduce noise levels, as well as providing examples of noise-reducing products. [1]
1. Strategically position furniture to reduce sound reverberation between spaces.
A simple way to stop noise travelling from one space into another is to position heavy furniture pieces against walls connecting spaces. For example, when aiming to reduce noise in a bedroom that has a connecting wall to a noisy kitchen, position heavy furniture, such as drawers and wardrobes, against the connecting wall. Likewise, in this case you should position the bed furthest away from the wall connecting to the kitchen. This is an easy and cost-effective strategy as you can likely utilise furniture pieces you already own.
2. Replace old fluorescent lighting with LED lights.
If you or someone in your home is hyper-sensitive to sound, it is a good idea to check for any old fluorescent light fittings and replace these with LEDs. Research shows that fluorescent lights are often found to be disruptive and unsettling to autistic individuals due to the buzzing sound that the moving parts in the light create. [ii]. Often, this buzzing sound is a mere low hum that may go undetected by a neurotypical occupant but can be not only noticed, but incredibly unsettling, to an autistic occupant who is hyper-sensitive to noise. Incandescent and halogen lights, although generally less noisy than fluorescent lighting, have been phased out by the Australian government over the last several years. LED lights are, therefore, the best option. They are quiet as they don’t contain the noisy moving parts that fluorescent lights do, with an added benefit of being gentle on the environment.
3. Incorporate sound absorptive/ acoustic materials and furnishings.
Hard materials reflect sound waves, whereas soft materials absorb sound waves and prevent them from bouncing back and forth within space. Simply put, the more soft, absorptive materials a space has, the quieter it will be. Adding rugs to hard floor finishes, for example, is a great way to reduce echoes and soften the sound of footsteps and furniture coming into contact with the floor. Other soft furnishings including, but not inclusive to, plush sofas, upholstered furniture, and curtains are other elements you can incorporate to reduce noise levels.
There is also a range of finishes, furniture and décor items on the market designed specifically to reduce noise. Companies like IKEA offer some inexpensive home and office products designed specifically to absorb sound, such as curtains and sound absorbing panels. There are even acoustic pendant lights on the market that can simultaneously light a space whilst absorbing unwanted sound. Another strategy is to incorporate acoustic panelling from companies such as The Wood Veneer Hub that can be applied to walls, ceilings, or kitchen islands, to absorb sound and enhance the acoustical performance of a space.
4. Consider purchasing 'quiet' appliances.
Whether it’s a whooshing fan, clunking dryer, or shrieking kettle, our homes are filled with appliances that contribute to its overall noise level. The average decibel level of some of the noisiest appliances commonly found in our homes are:
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Dishwasher - 60dB
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Vacuum cleaner - 70dB
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Kitchen blender - 94dB [v]
Considering that the target decibel level to support autistic occupants is 55dB or less, it is evident that appliances such as these are likely to be troubling for those who are sensitive to noise. So, how can we go about swapping noisy home appliances for ones that better support our experience of the audible environment?
UK based environmental consultancy firm, Quiet Mark, takes the hard work out of sourcing appliances and technology products that will create the least amount of noise disturbance in our environments. From kettles to lawnmowers, Quiet Mark scientifically test a vast range of products on the market, assessing and comparing the overall sound quality they produce. Quiet Mark emphasise that ‘it is not just the sound level that causes distress but the frequency distribution too, where excessive high frequency content can be unpleasant to listen to.’ [vi] For example, ‘40dB of a smooth consistent hum is very different from 40dB of clunking, rattling, or screeching.’ [vii] Consequently, Quiet Mark scientifically assesses overall sound quality, awarding only the best-performing products with a ‘Quiet Mark Certification’. As an example, they will analyse how the buttons on jeans hit the centre of tumble dryers to measure the sound quality, pitch, and tonality it produces. [vii]
Although Quiet Mark is a UK based company, there are many Quiet Mark Certified products available to us here in Australia. Below are some of our top picks of Quiet Mark Certified products that you may consider swapping out for those 3 noisy home appliances we mentioned previously.
Turning your mind to your specific home environment, consider what appliances create the most noise disturbance. The most disturbing noises may not necessarily be the loudest but could be a quieter yet distinct sound that is perceived as particularly unsettling, such as the dull sound of an old fridge vibrating in the background.
So, if your dishwasher or vacuum cleaner has given up the ghost, consider swapping it out for a Quiet Mark Certified product that will help minimise the presence of unpleasant noise in your environment.
If you’d like to learn more about Quiet appliances, or any of the subjects discussed above, get in touch with us today. We’d like to hear from you!
Endnote:
[1] We recognise that environments are rarely occupied by one, and some of the strategies we suggest may not address opposing needs. However they are intended to inform, empower and create conversations about how neurodivergence can be supported and celebrated in our physical environments. In the case of differing sensory needs in environments occupied by multiple people, we recommend prioritising adaptability, control and flexibility as much as possible.
References:
[i] Kanakri, Shireen M., Mardelle Shepley, Louis G. Tassinary, James W. Varni, and Haitham M/ Fawaz. 2017. “An observational study of classroom acoustical design and repetitive behaviours in children with autism.” Environment and Behaviour 49(8): 847-873. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916516669389
[ii] Kinnaeley, Moya, Beth Pfeiffer, Cecelia Roan, and Raechel Freret Shoener. 2012. “Effect of classroom modification on attention and engagement of students with autism or dyspraxia.” The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 66(5): 511-9. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2012.004010
[iii] Mostafa, Magda. 2008. “An Architecture for Autism: Concepts of design Intervention for the Autistic User.” International Journal of Arhcitectural Research Archnet-IJAR 2(1): 189-211. https://doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v2i1.182
[iv] Safe Environments. n.d. “Noise Levels.” Safe Environments Managing Property Risks. https://safeenvironments.com.au/noise-levels/
[v] ASHA. n.d. “Loud Noise Dangers.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/
[vi] Quiet Mark. n.d. “How Quiet Mark Certified Products.” Quiet Mark. https://www.quietmark.com/how-quiet-mark-certifies-products
[vii] Kleinman, Zoe. 2021. “Noisy appliances: How loud is your house?” BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57200584
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