Flooring


period of time we may be able to tolerate a little noise but to consistently live in a noisy or echoey environment, as we have established, can be detrimental to mental and physical health.


Setting standards Noise control in buildings for residential use in England and Wales are regulated using Approved Document E. This building regulation now applies to any kind of building used as a dwelling, including houses and apartments, and rooms for residential purposes, such as student and nurse accommodation, nursing homes and hotels. It also applies to dwellings created as a result of a conversion or material change of use.2 The aim of the regulation is to protect


residents from the noise of activities in other rooms or adjoining properties, as this has been highlighted as a major cause of tension between residents For sound impact, the regulations


state that the floor coverings should achieve a weighted reduction of no less than 17dB. There are many flooring options that fall well below a weighted reduction of 17dB. Some achieve as little as 2dB, which means additional sounding absorbing materials need to be considered as of the design process. Carpets generally exceed the British


Standard and a Danfloor carpet will achieve in excess of 28dB. It is always important to check product specifications to ensure that the flooring materials contribute to an environment which meets the required British Standard for a reduction in sound impact


and therefore helps to create an acoustically sound environment. So how does carpet help achieve an


acoustically sound environment? Carpet is naturally an outstanding sound absorptive material. No other acoustical material on the market can perform the dual role of floor covering and a versatile acoustical aid. Furthermore, a carpet manufactured for demanding environments can absorb airborne noise as effectively as many specialised acoustical materials. Within healthcare facilities, corridors and communal areas can be very busy


places and ultimately quite noisy. The presence of carpet in such areas helps to absorb unwanted sound and reduce sound impact and reverberation times. That is very important for people who experience difficulty with hearing and for those with dementia as it makes it easier to filter out unwanted noises and therefore reduces stress and confusion. Good acoustics can actively


contribute to ensuring that a person with dementia can communicate and remain included within the community they live, be that a care home, supported housing scheme or during a stay in hospital. Belonging and interacting are highly


dependent upon communication, which in turn is highly dependent upon being able to hear. In addition, good acoustics can improve resident privacy and dignity and promotes essential sleep patterns which are key to maintaining individual wellbeing.


Dementia link There is growing evidence to suggest there is a link between dementia and hearing loss. Hearing loss and dementia are both associated with ageing and often occur together. The majority of people with dementia are over 70 and nearly three-quarters of people over 70 have some degree of hearing loss.3 According to UK charity Action on


Hearing Loss audiologist specialist Vaitheki Maheswaran, there is strong evidence “mild hearing loss doubles the risk of developing dementia, with moderate hearing loss leading to three times the risk, and severe hearing loss


April 2020 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 1 1


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