There are several common sources of unwanted noise inside vehicles. The engine, tires, wind, and other occupants all contribute to an undesirable noise level.
Over time, these constant sounds can become distracting or even stressful. Sound Barrier Mat your car is a DIY project that can dramatically reduce noise and create a more pleasant driving experience.
Road noise is one of the main distractions for drivers. Sounds from tires on pavement, wind resistance, and other vehicles enter through numerous openings in the car's structure. According to a 2014 study conducted by Uber, drivers who experienced less in-cabin noise reported 25% better situational awareness while driving. Cutting down on road rumble and ambient sounds through soundproofing can make you a safer driver.
Excessive noise inside the vehicle can also be tiresome or annoying for long journeys. Most factory vehicles provide little in the way of noise insulation. On road trips or long commutes, this constant noise creates an unwelcome drain on focus and concentration.
The World Health Organization even lists environmental noise as one of the top health threats, and vehicle cabins are notoriously loud environments. Soundproofing gives you a peaceful sanctuary on wheels.
While professional soundproofing treatments provide maximum results, there are many simple DIY solutions for tackling noise issues. From weatherstripping to damping sheets, a few inexpensive materials can significantly improve the acoustic profile of your vehicle.
As mentioned earlier, road noise and other ambient sounds are some of the most prominent distractions for drivers. Constant rumbling, droning, and other unwanted noises entering through the car's structure force the brain to work harder to filter out these auditory distractions.
This affects situational awareness in two key ways. First, focus and concentration are reduced as mental resources work to block out sounds instead of monitoring the road. Studies show that noise levels over 60 decibels require active suppression from the brain which diminishes our capacity to process other sensory information. In a driving context, this means less attention paid to periphery traffic, pedestrians, and potential hazards.
Second, environmental noise triggers the body's "fight or flight" stress response. Our minds perceive constant rumbling and droning as a potential threat even if we cannot identify the source consciously.
This puts us in a heightened physical state that is not conducive to safe vehicle operation. Cortisol and adrenaline are released to prepare us to either confront the threat or flee from it. Unfortunately, there is no threat to confront or flee from inside our vehicles, leaving stress hormones circulating in our system.
Chronic noise exposure also damages the delicate structures of the inner ear over decades. For those with existing hearing damage or sensory processing disorders, driving can become a physically and mentally draining task without proper Sound Deadening.
Clearly, blocking out unwanted cabin noise has safety benefits through improved focus, lower stress levels while driving, and protecting long-term hearing health. Beyond that, the quality of the travel experience is greatly enhanced by reducing fatigue and maintaining clear thinking on long trips.
By soundproofing strategic areas, even basic treatments can reap these rewards through cutting down on road roar and ambient disturbances that constantly bombard the driver.
The stresses of environmental noise go beyond just triggering our fight or flight response. Chronic exposure to high decibel levels actually has physiological impacts:
Noise induces permanent damage to the cardiovascular system over time by constantly elevating blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. Long-term this contributes to hypertension, heart disease, and strokes.
Loud noises disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythms by interfering with the secretion of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. This sleep disruption then impairs cognitive performance the next day.
High-intensity impulsive sounds like engines backfiring are linked to an increased risk of gastric ulcers. The stress response diverts blood flow away from the digestive system.
Within the vehicle environment, studies have shown these measurable impacts are amplified:
According to a survey of over 4000 commuters, drivers reported higher stress and anxiety levels than bus or train passengers due to noise exposure.
Simulator testing found noises over 75dB disrupted pilots' reaction times, decision-making abilities, and working memory capacity comparable to a 0.05% alcohol intoxication level.
Road noise spectrums contain powerful low frequencies that penetrate materials and resonate inside the body more strongly than high frequencies. This makes decibel levels inside vehicles feel even louder.
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