Good hearing also depends on our surroundings
Good hearing isn't just about your ears. Room acoustics also play a crucial role. You can improve them with a few simple tips and the right furnishings. Learn more about it!
Everyone is familiar with this phenomenon: In a quiet room, it’s easy to make out every word, but in a hall or a church, it’s much harder. Acoustics depend not only on the size of the room, but also on its architecture, furnishings, and the texture of the ceiling and walls. While churches often have pronounced reverberation, this is prevented in a concert hall by certain materials and the architecture. Just think of the Elbphilharmonie or the Pierre Boulez Hall in Berlin—both known for their extraordinary design, which significantly improves the acoustics during concerts.
Of course, this principle also applies to small rooms. When was the last time you moved or helped with a renovation? You surely remember the unusual sound experience in an empty room that used to be a cozy bedroom. When rooms are furnished with carpets, wall art, furniture, lighting, and other objects, sound is absorbed and it sounds much more “normal.” With the right tricks, you can create a “listening-friendly” environment in your own home as well.
3 Tips for More Comfortable Listening in Your Living Room
- Reduce reverberation time
Furnish your space with sound-absorbing elements—such as upholstered furniture, rugs, curtains, or filled bookshelves. Hard, reflective surfaces made of stone, concrete, hardwood floors, or glass tend to have the opposite effect.
- Ensure sound diffusion
Pay attention to detail—use small, varied pieces of furniture and decor that “disperse” sound; this contrasts with large, flat surfaces like wall units, which reflect sound in a concentrated manner.
- Avoid echoes
Fill in gaps: Two large, flat surfaces facing each other—such as the left and right walls or the ceiling and floor—can create an echo. Bookshelves or a rug can help here.
Good acoustics are important in offices, too
However, many people spend more time at the office than at home. Companies can therefore also ensure a pleasant “listening environment.” In addition to furnishings, special acoustic ceilings made of mineral fibers or acoustic carpets with felt backing serve this purpose. Especially in open-plan offices, sound-absorbing cabinet fronts and light ceilings are recommended, as are room dividers to shield against unwanted conversations and phone calls from colleagues.
It’s not just open-plan and private offices that have different requirements for good acoustics—conference rooms, lobbies, and the cafeteria do as well.
Experts at Work: The AcousticianWhether you’re moving on your own, want to redecorate, your employer is currently ordering new office furniture, or—involving an acoustician can help with planning the various areas if you’d like to learn more. If the building is already complete and needs to be refurnished, they can conduct sound measurements and provide important tips. And for new construction projects, there are even simulation programs to determine the best listening experience.
