Of all the five senses, it could be argued that our sense of hearing is one of the most sensitive. Sounds attract our attention and disturb our concentration, which is why control of ambient sound is so important in interior spaces of all kinds. Most people need a reasonable degree of quiet to concentrate, relax or feel comfortable. This is why acoustics is often seen as a vital part of the equation when talking about the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of an interior space.
In the past several years, there has been greater recognition of the important role sound plays in creating occupant comfort in homes, schools, workplaces and healthcare facilities. As a result, there has been an increased emphasis on sound management and acoustic control. This is in part driven by the fact that poor sound control is one of the top five sources of lawsuits in residential construction. It is a major concern for condo associations and in multifamily applications, in particular.