Tips for creating a quiet home

You can create a quiet home in three ways :

• Shrink noises at the source.
• Keep from competing noises in the same area.
• Make your family aware of noise sources, background level, you bet to avoid unsafe background level.

Here are some practical tips for creating a quiet home :

• Set your television system, computer game, and music to the lowest volume at which they can be heard clearly. If someone in the room has trouble hearing, consider turning on your television captioning rather than turning up the volume.
• Create ways to muffle the noise of chores. An example is to close the door between household members and appliances in use, such as those in a workshop or laundry room.
• Buy quiet toys. If you buy electronic toys, choose those with volume controls, and use only the lowest mass setting. This will both lower your household background level and help protect your child from NIHL.
• When buying certain appliances, such as a fan, range hood, or dish washer, ask about its noise rating. Some ratings are given in sones : the lower the sone number, the quieter the unit.
• If your home is in a particularly noisy location, work to keep outdoor noises outdoors. Caulk cracks around windowpanes and doors. Insert putty or spreading out foam around pipes and wires where they enter the house.
• Close windowpanes and doors against potentially harmful sounds, such as leaf blowers, mower, power tool, and sirens.
• Use soft furnishings to soften noise indoors. The more cushions, curtains, and wall covers you have, the more noise will be absorbed.
• Place rugs and area rugs over hard flooring to help soak up sound. Thicker rugs are more effective at reducing noises that bounce off of hard surfaces.