Noisy neighbours can make you ill – but it’s not the shouting and loud music you should worry about
Name: Noisy neighbours. Age: From stumbling toddler to canewielding pensioner. Appearance: It’s not what they look like; it’s what they sound like.
What do they sound like? Thudding footsteps overhead, the random dropping of objects, the insistent scraping of furniture being moved for no reason.
I’m sure they have a reason. Well, I’d like to know what it is.
What about shouting? Does shouting count? Not for our purposes – we’re talking about “impact sounds”, a major source of complaint in multi-unit dwellings, and a potential health hazard.
Health hazard? Says who? Markus Müller-Trapet of the National Research Council of Canada. He claims exposure to this sort of neighbour noise can lead to sleep disturbance and even cardiovascular problems.
And how would he know? Because he just presented a paper at the 183rd Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, entitled Noise From Above: A Summary of Studies Regarding the Perceived Annoyance Due to Impact Sounds.
What exactly is impact sound? Distinct sounds characterised by abrupt onset and rapid decay – clanking, banging, thudding, pounding. Acoustics experts suggest they are more annoying than continuous sounds, such as conversation or music.
They should try living next to my neighbours, who are always watching Neighbours.Neighbours is on a break till next year …
Yes, but they still whistle the theme tune. Anyway, the environmental impact of impact noise is poorly understood, which is why MüllerTrapet and a team of researchers have set out to measure just how annoying it is.
How do they do that? By recording a range of impact sounds and presenting them to test subjects for evaluation.
Where is this happening? Because I think they might be carrying out these experiments in the flat above mine. There’s also an online survey you can participate in, where you listen to impact sounds and rate how annoying they are.
That’s more or less what I do, anyway, when I work from home. The rise in home working has made noisy neighbours a real issue, with people reporting they have become more sensitive to noise since the pandemic.
What can be done? In the long term, it is hoped research will enable planners to create a more livable built environment.
Can’t I just go upstairs and tell them to shut up? Maybe try earplugs first.
Do say: “With a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend …”
Don’t say: “Sorry, mate. These bowling balls I’ve been polishing are incredibly slippery.”