What is an Acoustic Consultant?

Acoustic engineers are sound experts who specialize in solving issues in concern to noise and vibration. These technical specialists often have a Master’s degree in a related engineering field like audio, mechanical, electronic, or electrical engineering.

These professional engineers can work in various business sectors including:

1. Architectural Design
2. Underwater Noise Management
3. How To Reduce Highway Noise
4. Warehouse Sound Control
5. Environmental Science

Acoustic consultants can lend expertise, design noise-reducing treatments, organize sound studies, and work with stakeholders to identify problems and retrofit or create unique solutions for noise pollution.

Safety concerns with environmental impacts like how particular sounds affect wildlife are other ways these professionals help private and public entities.

What Does An Acoustical Consultant Do?

Generally, acoustical consultants assess the impact of sound at specific sites by conducting various testing that isolate and pinpoint all of the noise sources contributing to the site’s coverage.

They examine data from these tests and use it to determine if a particular noise source  such as a transportation hub, electrical substation or highway is within local ordinance compliance, or creating excessive sound levels.

As part of a broad team of specialists, acoustic engineers work together to solve challenging noise problems, often acting as mentors to younger acousticians training under them in an effort to maintain the high standards within that discipline.

Typical Tasks For Acoustic Consultants Include:

• Use of advanced equipment to measure sound levels precisely
• Model data for visual presentations
• Identify the physical source of the noise in question
• Create summaries of the issues with suggestions for mitigation
• Customize solutions for the location with aesthetic appeal in mind
• Organize proposals and data to apply for grants and prospective jobs
• Translate design needs and technical aspects in a straightforward manner
• Understand the effects of sound on the environment, humans, animals, and equipment
• Identify critical design needs to reduce unwanted sound and comply with building codes
• Utilize their in-depth knowledge about sound absorbing treatments
• Use engineering software and CAD design programs to create 3D renderings and models
• Possess experience with local building inspection requirements, permits, and regulations
• Understand how contributing environmental factors affect sound levels
• Use systems with noise absorbing materials versus older sound-reflecting technologies
• Conduct research and host conferences showcasing the most current data and treatments

Creating Noise Walls For A Myriad of Uses

Acoustic consultants use outdoor soundproofing material to reduce sound in an effort to protect the environment and residents living around noise sources such as construction equipment, vehicle and train traffic, and general public noise.

Sound walls help reduce or eliminate long-range noise issues where bridges and overpasses send highway traffic noise into residential zones.

Depending on their area of expertise, these engineers can reach out to a specialized soundproofing company like Sound Fighter Systems who can develop new products to help reduce noise issues.

Reducing Vibration With Outdoor Sound Walls

Heavy machinery is very loud and causes intense vibrations, especially in lower frequencies. These sound waves are strong enough to loosen nuts and bolts over time in some situations. Acoustic panels can reduce the power levels of the waves, reducing the likelihood of vibration-related issues.

As a result, acoustic engineers can also create tailored solutions for commercial manufacturing companies and construction firms to lengthen equipment life, save money, and protect workers.

Customizing Sound Walls For Specific Purposes

Experienced sound consulting specialists work closely with to assess and help resolve contentious noise problems for:

1. Business Owners
2. Government Officials
3. Regulatory Boards
4. Zoning Committees

This is often accomplished with the use of customized sound wall panels, which come in a wide variety of performance, colors and aesthetics.

Acousticians Are The Heart of Our Success

As the oldest manufacturer of outdoor sound-absorptive noise barriers in North America, Sound Fighter® Systems has designed barriers for many different applications across the United States and around the world.

Our portfolio includes large and small barriers, and numerous firsts – including the first sound wall ever approved by LADOTD, and the largest outdoor sound barrier in North America at 45-ft.

Contentious Noise Problems Require Experts

Sound Fighter® customers are as equally large and diverse as their portfolio. “From car-washes to highways, and nearly everything in between, there is one underlying component that remains constant – and that is our relationship with Acoustical Engineers or Acousticians.” states Murray Stacy, VP of Sound Fighter Systems.

Sound Fighter® notes that a majority of its noise barrier projects involve the expertise of an Acoustician providing guidance to the customer. Stacy continues, “Dealing with contentious or even litigious noise issues is not something any of our customers enjoy. Often, it’s an unanticipated problem. And the only ones who are sufficiently trained to assess, model, predict and suggest solutions to such complex noise issues are professional Acoustical Engineers.” 

Trust and Transparency

While the Sound Fighter® team has decades of hands-on experience in resolving noise issues, the company has avoided bringing such technical acoustical services in-house, believing it creates a conflict of interest and values. “We have resisted the temptation to offer formal acoustical services because there is an obvious conflict in recommending a specific treatment to a customer, then turning around and selling them that same treatment.” notes Stacy. “So, for nearly 50 years, our policy has been to recommend and defer such requests to outside, independent Acousticians. This provides complete transparency in the process, and our customers receive unbiased acoustical assessments and recommendations, which may or may not include noise barriers as an option.”

Sound Fighter® works with a growing network of Acousticians throughout North America who specialize in outdoor sound barrier panels for numerous industries including Electrical Substations, Natural Gas Compression & Pipeline, Industry and Manufacturing, Commercial HVAC, Water & Wastewater, Power Generation and others.

References:

1. https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/acoustical-engineer
2. https://learn.org/articles/What_is_the_Job_Description_of_an_Acoustic_Engineer.html
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustical_engineering