If you live near a busy intersection, an airport flight path, or an active train line, you have likely looked into upgrading your home’s exterior windows to block the noise. During your research, you will inevitably run into two competing acronyms: STC vs OITC. Window manufacturers often boast about their high STC ratings to prove … Read more
When you are shopping for home appliances like mini-fridges, ceiling fans, or dishwashers, you will inevitably run into a technical specification that looks like this: 35 dB, 45 dB, or 50 dBA. Manufacturers love to throw these numbers around to prove their products are “whisper-quiet.” But what does a decibel actually mean in the real … Read more
The health effects of noise pollution go far beyond just a ruined night of sleep. We live in the loudest era of human history. From the low-frequency rumble of interstate highway traffic and overhead flights to the high-frequency hum of household refrigerators, subwoofers, and air conditioners, our auditory systems are under constant siege. While many … Read more