Low Frequency Noise from Neighbours: Best Solutions in 2024

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Low Frequency Noise from Neighbours: Whether you own your home or rent, you can expect your neighbours to make some noise. But if that noise turns into a low-frequency hum that doesn’t go away, it can get in the way of your daily life.

Low-frequency noise from Neighbours can be harmful to your health in many ways and can even damage your home’s structure.

In this article, we will discuss the sources of Low-Frequency Noise from Neighbours and how to reduce or eliminate it.

Low-frequency noise from Neighbours can come from loud music, TVs, parties, and home improvements. Putting down silencing materials like foam, acoustic tiles, and rubber mats will stop this noise.

Sound waves less than 200 Hz are called low-frequency noise. It can be hard to hear this kind of noise, but it can get in the way of your daily life. Low-frequency noise from neighbours can come from many places, such as HVAC systems, freezers, and even people moving around.

A study from the World Health Organization says that being around low-frequency noise can lead to several health problems, such as headaches, tiredness, and trouble sleeping.

On top of that, long-term contact can cause more significant health problems, like heart disease, memory loss, and even cancer.

Low Frequency Noise from Neighbours In Practical Ways
Low-Frequency Noise from Neighbours In Practical Ways

Low-frequency noise from Neighbours, where it comes from

Low-frequency noise comes from several neighbours. Here are five common places where low-frequency noise comes from and how to spot them.

AC and Heat Pumps: AC and heat pumps make much lower frequency noise. A steady hum or sound can help you differentiate this kind of noise.

If you think the noise is coming from your neighbour’s HVAC system, ask them to have it repaired or checked out.

As well as other things, refrigerators can make low-frequency noise. A low hum or rumble is often this kind of noise.

If you think the noise is coming from your neighbour’s fridge, ask them to have it checked out or replaced.

Movement of People: People’s movements, such as walking or moving items, can also cause low-frequency noise.

This kind of noise happens all the time and can be hard to spot. If you think your friend’s activity is making noise, you can ask them to be quieter during quiet times.

Electrical tools: Washing machines and dryers are examples of electrical tools that can also make low-frequency noise.

Most of the time, this kind of noise is a steady hum or sound. If you think the noise is coming from your neighbour’s machines, ask them to have them checked out or changed.

Some problems with the structure, like lines or vents that aren’t tight enough, can also cause low-frequency noise.

A low hum or rumble is often this kind of noise. If you think the noise comes from your neighbour’s house, kindly ask them to inspect it.

The Side Effects

Being around low-frequency noise can harm your health and well-being in many ways. Here are some examples from real life that show how low-frequency noise can affect daily life.

Sleep Disturbances

Low-frequency noise from Neighbours can keep you from sleeping, making you tired and sleepless. This might make it harder for you to focus and do daily jobs.

Exposure to low-frequency noise may also cause hearing problems and discomfort. Low-frequency noises can block out conversations or other sounds that people would usually hear, making it hard for them to understand or follow a conversation.

Low-frequency noise can also make listening less enjoyable because it can cover up the good parts of music or other sounds you usually enjoy. In addition, these low-frequency waves might make you feel pain, headaches, or dizziness.

Having headaches

Low-frequency noise can cause headaches and migraines, which can make it hard to concentrate or do everyday things.

Low-frequency noise can cause headaches by pressing on the eardrums. It can also raise stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, worsening headaches or migraines.

This is why we should try to limit our exposure to low-frequency noise as much as possible to keep our stress hormones in check and avoid any health problems that might arise.

Anxiety

Being around low-frequency noise for a long time can make you anxious or depressed, which can hurt your mental health and well-being as a whole.

Lack of low-frequency noise can affect our mental and physical health. Low-frequency sound is at a range of levels that we can’t consciously hear, but it can still affect how we feel.

Studies have shown that long-term exposure to this kind of noise can make people feel stressed, antsy, and anxious.

How to Measure Low-Frequency Noise from Neighbours

If you think your neighbours are making low-frequency noise, check the noise levels to find the cause. You can use a sound level meter, a shaking meter, or a low-frequency noise detector to determine the amount of low-frequency noise.

You can use a sound level meter to measure and count low-frequency noise. The standard IEC 61672-1 says that class 1 sound level meters must meet tighter limits and have a more comprehensive frequency range. This means that they will give more accurate readings at low frequencies.

When recording sound pressure levels (SPL) at low frequencies between 20 and 200 Hz, it’s important to consider where to take the test in normal-sized rooms.

The person with the microphone must stand in the middle of the room to get correct readings. It’s best to measure more than one place and use the tallest reading as your main measurement.

To get exact data on your neighbours’ noise, it’s best to use a reliable SPL meter. This is a great possibility for people who care about getting exact readings.

Ways to cut down on Low-Frequency Noise from Neighbours

You can try several things if your neighbours are making low-frequency noise. Here are some ways to cut down on or get rid of low-frequency noise.

Meet up with your neighbours.

You should talk to your neighbours nicely before you try to fix the problem of low-frequency noise coming from them.

It’s important to be respectful and nice when discussing the problem and to explain how the noise is affecting your everyday life.

It’s possible that your neighbours don’t know about the issue and would be happy to make some changes to help reduce the noise.

You should bring up the issue nicely and see if there’s a way to make things work. We now have a great chance to find an answer that works for everyone.

Choices in law

This is the time to take things to the next level and look into legal options if talking to your friends about it doesn’t help.

You should look at the noise laws in your area to see if your friend is breaking the rules.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have made rules to stop noise pollution. These groups provide tools to help us find legal answers to our noise problems.

If your friend breaks these rules, you can contact the right people to start the auction process.

Noise Reduction Products

There are several noise reduction items on the market that can help reduce low-frequency noise.

Soundproofing is one of the most accessible options that works very well. Sound-absorbing materials on the floors and walls can cut down on low- and high-frequency noise from your neighbours.

You can choose from acoustic foams, polyurethane foams, mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic dampers, egg boxes, and other goods.

You could also buy tools that block out noise to lower the amount of low-frequency noise. With this technology, special mics record outside sounds like traffic, construction, or your neighbour’s music and block them out.

You could add window dividers to lower the noise level further. These carefully made goods block out outside noise, keeping your home quiet.

Glass wool and vinyl film are two examples of window covers that keep sound out of cracks and holes in walls and windows.

Last but not least, air conditioners can also help reduce low-frequency noises from outside sources. Having an air conditioner in your home lowers the noise level because it moves the air around and soaks up sound waves.

In conclusion, there are several legal and non-legal ways to get your neighbour’s house to stop making noise. You can look at these options and pick the one that works best for you.

Making your home soundproof

If you can’t eliminate the noise any other way, you might consider silencing your house.

Insulating your home from noise from your neighbour is a great way to reduce noise, especially low-frequency sounds that can travel a long way. These steps will help keep noise out of your home:

Putting in sound-absorbing materials:

One of the easiest ways to reduce low-frequency noise from outside is to put sound-absorbing materials on and around your walls, ceilings, and floors.

Acoustic foam panels, mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic dampers, egg boxes, and polyurethane foams are some good items that help lower background noise.

You can also use thick blankets or rugs on the walls or furniture to block out sound and make your home a nicer place.

How to Use Windows and Doors:

Since the noise is coming from outside and entering through doors and windows, you might want to use thicker glass panels on those doors and windows to make an extra wall between inside and outside.

You can also install automatic door covers that open when the doors are opened and close tightly when the doors are closed.

This keeps air from getting in. Weatherstripping around your doors and windows will also keep outside noise out.

Creating Acoustic Barriers:

By building acoustic shields, you can stop sound waves from directly hitting your home’s outside walls or windows. If you want to build a fence, use heavy materials like bricks, steel, or concrete with high mass density.

Acoustic curtains easily block out sound waves instead of absorbing them, which would require more material and cost more.

An added benefit of acoustic curtains is that they block out noise from outside while still letting light into the room and making it look better.

Axial Decoupling:

Axial disconnection lets you silence the walls you already have. For this method, you build two wall spaces divided by a “decoupler,” usually made of steel or wood. This hole makes it harder for sound to move from one wall to the other.

It also stops the sound waves from vibrating as much, which keeps outside noise from coming in through your walls.

Adding insulation to walls when putting acoustic foam or building two wall spaces with insulation also makes this process work better at reducing noise.

Insulating your home from outside noise is an easy and cheap way to make your living space quieter and more pleasant. The above ways are just a few of many you can use to make your home silent.

It is always best to talk to professional acousticians to ensure you know which product will work best for your home and the noise pollution in your area. It is also important to follow local building codes when making acoustic walls.

Help for condos and apartments

Low-frequency noise can be especially challenging to deal with in flats and condos. Here are some ways to deal with it in houses with more than one unit.

Talk with your landlord.

If you rent your home, you should talk to your owner about the noise problem. They might know how to help your friend quiet down or can get you some great goods that block out noise. That’s cool!

Make sure you read your lease agreement.

You should carefully read your lease agreement to see if there are any noise restrictions in place before taking any action against your noisy neighbour.

If your neighbour is breaking the lease, don’t be afraid to tell your landlord about it! This might be a fun chance to ensure that everyone, including the other renters, follows the rules and lives peacefully.

Consider Soundproofing

If other solutions don’t work to lower the noise, you might want to consider sealing your apartment or house. You can do this by installing insulated windows and padding and filling in any holes or cracks in the walls.

More information on how to deal with Low-Frequency Noise from Neighbours

Several tools can help you if your neighbours are making low-frequency noise. Here are some tools to think about:

  • There is a lot of useful information on the World Health Organization page about dealing with noise problems, such as finding sound sources, how loud is too loud, and what to do if levels are higher than expected.
  • The Noise App: This phone app lets users track changes in sound levels and compare their exposure to noise over time. It also contains useful tips for lowering noise levels in the home.
  • The Center for Hearing and Communication: This group provides extensive information on how to avoid and deal with hearing loss. For example, it offers information on acoustics and acoustic treatments that can make a home sound better.
  • Your local government’s noise laws: Each town or city has noise ordinances limiting noise levels and punishing people who break them. Contact your local government to determine the rules.
  • Manufacturers of noise-cancelling products: Headphones and white noise machines are just two examples of the many goods on the market that can help lower the amount of noise. Because telling your neighbours to be quiet can be awkward, these items can help you deal with the problem more privately.
  • Professional soundproofing companies: If you have a major noise problem that won’t go away, it may be best to hire a professional soundproofing company to install silencing materials in your unit. Although this might cost a lot, it might be worth it in the long run.

No matter which way you choose, you need to write down the annoying noise. Write down the times and lengths when noise levels are too high and any talks you have with your owner or neighbours about how to fix the problem.

This will help you go to court and prove your case if you need to. If your owner tries to sue you, don’t forget to keep copies of any warning letters and other proof. Knowing your rights as a renter can help you feel better when your neighbours are making too much noise.


5 FAQs About Low Frequency Noise from Neighbours

Q1: What are the symptoms of low-frequency noise?

Ans: Low-frequency noise can lead to several physical and mental problems, including headaches, trouble sleeping, restlessness, sadness, high blood pressure, and trouble focusing.

Q2: Why do I hear low-frequency noise?

Ans: Neighbors, building sites, boats, and vehicles are common low-frequency noise sources. It can also come from air units and heavy machinery.

Q3: What are examples of low-frequency noise?

Ans: Rumbling, beating, humming, bass lines, and drones are low-frequency noise.

Q4: Do low-frequency sounds affect humans?

Ans: Low-frequency sounds can make people feel bad physically and mentally. They can also make it hard to sleep, give headaches, and make it hard to concentrate.

Q5: What can be done to counter low-frequency noise?

Ans: Possible solutions for low-frequency noise include talking to your neighbours, following the law, and installing noise-cancelling or silencing materials in your home.


Final Word

Low-frequency noise from your neighbours can get in the way of your daily life. However, several things can be done to reduce or eliminate the noise. You can get peace back in your home by talking to your neighbours, looking into your legal options, and using noise-cancelling or silencing products. When you deal with your friends, remember that being nice and respectful can make a big difference in how things turn out.

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Hey, I am Umesh Kumar a Blogger and believer in making life peaceful, a couple of years back I started soundproofing my House, Bedroom, Office, and Car to reduce unwanted noise, and the same experience I am sharing on noisyhome.org. Red More