UNCONTROLLED NOISE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 3

UNCONTROLLED NOISE

A feature of the Health Exhibition at Southampton was the renewal of the attack on uncontrolled noises. WingCommander T. R. Cave-Brownc-Cave, irofcssor of engineering at University College, Southampton, defined noise as a sound which was offensive to the hearer. A certain sound though offensive to some might, not he a noise to ail who heard it. Medical authorities had obtained evidence that noise was actively harmful to tlie sick and to those ol nervous temperament, and to almost everyone during the period of learning or of creative work or while they were attempting to sleep. It was not for the engineer to study psychological problems too closely, it was for him to determine how noises which were offensive could ho reduced. A letter had been written to the “Times " he continued, inviting considered expressions ol opinion as to which were the most offensive noises. An analysis of tlie very large number of sensible replies received showed that the exhausts of motor-cy-cles and sports cars were by far the worst offenders. It was therefore decided to investigate at University College, .Southampton, how far exhaust noise could he reduced without loss of power. The investigations were proceeding satisfactorily. He dealt with other sources of noise, such as (he motorhorn. aircraft, tramcars and pile-driving, but said he doubted whether the public generally realised what great efforts had beei. made to deal with the trouble. The Anti-Noise League was a body ol people who, working with very small lands, were doing their best to bring about (lie reduction of those noises which were causing discomfort and really serious damage, lie hoped that the measures being taken hv the, Minister ol Transport would he effective in reducing major offenders to a reasonable level.