Whatever year you were born, make the most of your time.  Henry Ford said, “It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste time.”  That thought applies to all aspects of life—invest time in your loved ones and those relationships will teach you how to reach your goals.  Look forward to a year in which to really shine, both personally and professionally.

NSCA Expo 2006 is in Vegas this year!  Pick up four Learning Units on Friday, March 17 at the Convention Center.  Steve Thorburn will address Acoustics in Architecture, focusing on the aspects of room acoustics.  When developing the acoustical design for large boardrooms or lecture halls, issues of reverberation criteria, absorption, wall construction, distribution of low frequencies, echo control and more should be reviewed.  A workbook will be provided.

The TEA Summit will be held in Anaheim on March 17 and 18 at the Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel.  Newcomers and industry icons alike participate in this collaborative event. With a focus on global markets, this year’ summit will help you explore new marketing opportunities and grow your business.  The summit design encourages networking, frank discussions and open participation.

We’ve heard for years that when a person is exposed to high sound levels they are at risk for hearing loss.  Noise-induced loss is the leading cause for permanent ear damage.  “Instead of the iPod we’re turning up, it will be a hearing aid.”  Bay Area Hearing Aid Dispenser John Diles admits, “while good for business, I’d much rather see people protecting their ears, like wearing sunglasses protects your eyes.”

There are two categories of hearing loss, conductive and nerve loss.  Conductive occurs when the bones in the ear fail to carry sound such as when fluid collects in the ear.  Nerve loss, often not reversible, is caused when the nerve or tiny hairs inside the ear are damaged by “over stimulation.”  The ear cells fracture and can’t pick up sound.   This type of hearing damage is cumulative and permanent.  Nerve loss is usually painless, gradually destroying hearing without warning—but totally preventable with hearing protection and knowledgeable listening practices.

The use of earbuds over headphones increases the hearing damage since standard earbuds allow some background noise to intrude on the music, often resulting in a person turning up the volume even more. According to Australia’s National Acoustic Laboratories, over 5,250,000 people worldwide are currently going deaf from listening to their iPods at excessive volumes.

The iPod manual claims permanent hearing loss may occur at high volume, but also, “You can adapt over time to a higher volume of sound, which may sound normal but can be damaging to your hearing.  Set your iPod’s volume to a safe level before that happens.”

As we are unlikely to give up music and the technology that lets us parade around with it, we must rely on better listening habits to protect us:

-      Wear hearing protection when unavoidable noise is excessive.
-      Take 15-minute quiet breaks to ease fatigued ears when exposed to high noise environments.
-      Be aware of common sources of sound that with repeated or prolonged exposure can cause
       hearing loss:  hair dryer, loud concerts, sirens, jet engines, chainsaws, firecrackers, motorcycles,
       leaf blowers and lawn mowers.
-      When exercising with earbuds be especially aware of the volume as your body is concentrating
       on the work and not defending itself from loud noise.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, blizzards—severe weather can interrupt power service for hours or even days.  Without electricity, business usually comes to a complete halt while costs escalate.  A reliable power source can keep computers, lights, heating units, pumps, freezers and medical equipment running. Your electrical load determines what type of generator suits your needs.

Emergency generators are either permanently installed or portable.  Permanent generators must be professionally installed, as they are hard-wired into the electrical system of your house or business.  Portable generators require manual start up and fuel re-supply for extended use.  

Both types of generators can produce upwards of 115dB, while most Sound Ordinance laws limit extended noise to 60dB during daylight hours and 50dB at night.  Limitations vary greatly, especially for evening hours, so check your local codes and have your unit measured for sound output.   Some generators are equipped with the manufacturer’s acoustic enclosure; others may require one of the following solutions to comply with code.

-      Sound Isolation packages blanket the unit to absorb the sound and keep it from escaping.
-      Barriers, such as a properly ventilated housing unit or building, block the sound while preventing
       toxic exhaust fumes from accumulating.
-      Fencing, such as cement block, creates a wall that reduces excessive sound.

Designed by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects and Paulett Taggart Architects, the $22 million building has 106 small studios on the north corner of Howard and Sixth Street in the South of Market District.  The 300 square foot units include a full bath and kitchenette with energy efficient appliances including a disposal, refrigerator, stove and microwave.  The nine-story building was constructed for affordable housing while allowing ground floor retail space.  The mixed-use building contains a reception area, offices, kitchen pantry, community room, courtyard with barbeque and a laundry/lounge room with deck.  Plans also include a non-profit theatre in the basement.

Under the guidance of the city’s Department of Public Health’s Direct Access to Housing Program, acclaimed as an effective means for ending chronic homelessness, residents have on-site support services.  Six employees will focus on social skills, money management and vocational opportunities as well as medical and mental health.

Thorburn Associates’ involvement began with a site visit to conduct noise measurements in the surrounding neighborhood.  California Uniform Building Code Title 24 requires that the interior noise level within dwelling units be limited to 45 dBA.  The noise measurements provide the information necessary for cost effective recommendations to reduce outside noise sources.

TA included recommendations for exterior window and wall constructions to isolate environmental noise, providing a higher quality of living.  In our own modern offices and houses we often take this sound abatement for granted, yet blocking out the outside world—the rushing traffic, blaring sirens and screaming stereos—is a reprieve.  Continuing those standards to the walls and ceilings between the units provides a true sense of personal space: a quiet studio, a home.   

The ER-6’s plug into most airline audio systems, CD, DVD and MP3 players.  The performance benefits over standard earbuds are considerable.  The ER-6 uses noise isolation rather than active noise cancellation.  These earbuds slide in the ear like earplugs to block out external noise.  This noise reduction allows the listener to keep the volume down at safer ranges.