Simulated Background Noise to Improve Acoustical Privacy in Buildings

Abstract

In many existing buildings where the construction provides a low degree of sound isolation between rooms, complaints concerning a lack of acoustical privacy most frequently arise where the ambient-background-noise levels are low. In most cases, the adequate improvement of the construction is either impractical or too costly. An increase of the ambient-background-noise level, on the other hand, can often provide the desired improvement of privacy. Sometimes this can be achieved by modifying an existing ventilating system. Where this cannot be done, background noise duplicating the characteristics of ventilation-system diffusers and other types of air distribution devices can be simulated electronically and distributed by means of loudspeakers. The instrumentation and technique as used in a few recent building installations is described.