Forget the slime in the waterways and carbon monoxide in the air or the tons and tons of trash that we’ve been accumulating as a species. Just in case you’ve been living in a box for the past decades, noise is also considered as pollution. And we’ve got noise just about everywhere. In crowds, in the streets, even at home. And they’re taking their toll on our ears. Here are some ideas on how to hush environmental noise.

Cutting down the noise indoors

We’ve got a lot noisemakers inside of our houses. TV, audio systems, the food processor… Now here are some ideas on how to reduce noise inside your home.

• Place TV sets and speakers on stands. Placing them on the floor or against the walls can casue sounds to echo throughout the house.
• Likewise, noisy kitchen appliances should also be placed away from walls.
• Your workshop or tool shed may have some noisy power tools. Just make sure to wear earplugs or earmuffs when using them.
• Hanging curtains, putting inside the house carpets and stuffed seating can help muffle down sounds by absorbing them.
• You can trap sound inside a room by installing mineral board panels. These are commonly known as acoustic boards.

Keeping noise out

Some noise may also come from outside. Especially if you’ve got too noisy of a neighbor or live on a busy street.

• Apply caulk to seal gaps in windows, ducts and vents.
• If you can afford it, central air-conditioning offers a much more quiet operation than mounted ones.
• Installing storm windows can add as a buffer to outside noise.
• Landscaping can also help buffer the noise that can get to your home.
• Hedges about two-feet thick can effectively dampen noise coming from a busy street.
• If you have a solid wall, have some dense vines or creepers work their way around it. They’ll absorb sound. A blank solid wall, however, will only make noise worse.