Sound can be a stressor, and noise pollution is defined as unwanted elements of sound.
Soundscape, on the other hand, takes into account how the sound is perceived by a listener.
The ability to sleep or relax is crucial to health, and it is reasonably clear when it is not possible due to noise. The quality of a soundscape, however, (much like a visual landscape) affects how we feel and how supportive of health our environment is. Where the soundscape quality is high, it is supportive of the health and well-being of humans and the survival and conservation of other species, whereas the contrary is the case where the soundscape quality is low.
Taking a soundscape approach means that subjective, perception-based psycho-acoustic parameters and non-acoustic factors are considered, rather than traditional acoustic parameters like level and frequency, which would usually be the go-to for services such as noise impact assessments.
By establishing a soundscape baseline, it is possible to identify interventions to either protect people from low-quality environments or, where possible, to enhance and improve the quality of a soundscape. Furthermore, it then becomes possible to define pristine and tranquil areas meaningfully so that they can be recognised and protected.
This, we believe, is the future of using Acoustics to help life thrive sustainably. This is because IF we make it through the climate crisis we are facing, we still need to consider how to make solutions work in practice, whether in a vibrant urban centre or rural idyll.
Get in touch if you would like us to get you ahead of the game, with soundscapes currently being under consultation in Wales and likely to be needed as a service near you soon.
