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As students return to school, classrooms once again become active spaces for instruction, discussion, and collaboration. While back-to-school preparations often focus on students gathering supplies, organizing backpacks, and packing lunches, the acoustic environment of the classroom comes back into focus. The acoustics of classrooms can have a major impact on learning and are influenced by several elements such as reverberation time, noise from mechanical equipment, and isolation from adjacent spaces. Don’t let poor classroom acoustics ruin the new school year; read on to learn how to optimize the learning environment.

Play middle C on a violin, then on a flute, then have someone hum it. All three vibrate at the same fundamental frequency – approximately 262 Hz. All three are technically “the same note.” And yet you could easily pick each one out blindfolded in half a second…how is that? Read on to learn about overtones and harmonics that make a sound distinguishable.

Have you ever wondered why humans can speak but chimpanzees can’t? After all, they are our closest animal relatives, but even ones raised by humans don’t say a word. But your pet parrot will spend all day talking nonsense, and birds aren’t even the same class of animal as humans! Read on to learn more about how humans are unique in the way we speak.

The sonic landscape of our daily lives is dominated by automobiles, aircraft, HVAC equipment, industrial buildings, and in some cases, drones. Many studies have been completed regarding the effects of noise on people, which include sleep disturbance, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and more. People are not the only inhabitants of this planet, however…we share this world with an abundance of wildlife.  Read on to find out more about the ways that noise affects wildlife ecosystems.

In last month’s newsletter, we discussed how ultrasound can be used in medical applications such imaging and non-invasive procedures.  Ultrasound has a long-wavelength sibling in infrasound – sound from 20 Hz and below – which can create as many challenges as ultrasound solves.  Read on to learn more about the sources of infrasound and its effects on people.