QUIET PLEASE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 16

QUIET PLEASE

By

BRUCE SANDHAM)

A quarter of the adult population of most civilised countries are psychiatric cases, according to the United Nations Mental Health Research Fund. And, theyclaim, one thing is mainly responsible—noise. To stop noise driving us all completely mad, the International Congress of Noise Abatement has just commissioned scientists and architects to create “a house of silence.”

Once inside, occupants will —it’s hoped—be able to escape from noise: and also create as much noise as they like without disturbing the neighbours. Up to now, no-one has been able to design a reasonablypriced house which is anywhere near soundproof. The nearest we get is packing cavity walls with sawdust or any of the sound-deadening quiltings which are available.

But there are many things we can do to make life quieter for ourselves, and our neighbours. For Instance, don’t have a piano or television right up to an adjoining wall.

Stand record players or radios on some form of padding or foam rubber. Use sound-deadening acoustic ceiling tiles; fit resilient material to door frames to stop slamming; check the water system for vibrating pipes. For really edgy people, there are now light switches available which don’t click! A rubber-lidded dustbin is a “must”—-in some countries it’s even compulsory. And if noise still gets you down—remember you can buy earplugs.