Toolkit 1: Existing Homes
Acoustics (Sound)
Acoustics, or the sound in a space, is made up of lots of different parts. If you want to know more about the terms used, see the Glossary for more information.
While noise is a big issue for many autistic people, it’s something that is often very hard to fix completely. But there are some things you can do to make it less of a problem.
A good way of thinking about this is:
- Reverberation is the problem – sound that is echoing or bouncing off surfaces.
- Absorption is the solution – changing the surfaces to absorb sound instead of letting it bounce.
Acoustic absorption doesn’t have to cover an entire room, any amount of the surfaces covered will make a difference.
Use soft surfaces throughout the home to absorb sound ◆
Generally, soft surfaces absorb more sound than hard surfaces, which bounce sound around more. Soft surfaces include carpet, rugs, curtains, and furniture.
Install stick-on acoustic absorption on walls and ceilings ◆
For someone who is particularly noise sensitive, installing acoustic absorption on walls and ceilings can be useful. A lower cost option is small adhesive foam tiles that can stick on.
Use standing acoustic absorption ◆◆
Where it’s not as easy to stick things to walls or ceilings, you can use standing acoustic absorption, like panels that separate spaces in an office building. These can be expensive. But they don’t make any permanent changes to a home, so may be more useful if you are renting.
Install acoustic absorption panelling on walls and ceilings ◆◆◆
To achieve a larger area for acoustic absorption on walls and ceilings, large panels can be installed for a sleek, finished look.
Properly reducing sound transmission means replacing walls, installing insulation or changing the house structure completely.
If noise (from people inside the home, or outside noise like from neighbours or traffic) is a problem for any autistic people in the home, start with the gaps and doors that affect the main rest or work areas first.
Reduce sound through doors ◆◆
Install door sweeps to seal the bottom of interior and exterior doors. Use adhesive rubber or foam weatherstripping along the sides and top of the door stops.
Reduce sound through gaps ◆◆
Where walls meet floors, around baseboards, and along window or door frames, apply a bead of flexible, non-hardening acoustic sealant (or standard draft-stopper caulk).
