The anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis is the quietest place in the world, with a background noise reading of –9.4 decibels. This is so quiet that you can hear each grind, crunch, and squeak your skeleton makes.
Very few people have been able to bear it for more than 45 minutes without experiencing discomfort, claustrophobia, nausea, and panic. This is because an anechoic chamber is designed to stop reflections or echoes of sound. When there is no sound to distract you, your senses become overwhelmed by the internal sounds of your own body.
An anechoic chamber is a room that is lined with special materials that absorb sound waves. This means that any sound that is made in the chamber is not reflected back, but is instead absorbed by the walls. This creates an incredibly quiet environment, where the only sound that you can hear is the direct sound from the source.
Anechoic chambers are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Testing the acoustic performance of products, such as speakers, headphones, and microphones.
- Conducting research on the effects of noise on human health and behavior.
- Calibrating sound measuring equipment.
- Recording music and sound effects in a controlled environment.
Anechoic chambers are also used by some people as a form of sensory deprivation therapy. This type of therapy involves exposing people to a completely silent and dark environment for extended periods of time. It is believed that this can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
If you are ever offered the opportunity to visit an anechoic chamber, be prepared for an experience that is both unique and unsettling. It is a place where you can truly experience the sound of silence.
How is negative SPL achieved?