An acoustical engineer, also known as a sound engineer, applies sound and vibration science to real-world technologies. The primary goal of the field is to reduce unwanted noise, which is referred to as noise control. It also entails amplification of desired sounds and sound vibration manipulation for measurement purposes. The fields of acoustical engineering and mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering all have something in common.
Acoustics is the science of sound, and it is made up of several processes. One is absorption, which is the loss of energy experienced sound waves when they reflect off of a surface. Sound waves bending around small obstacles in a medium and spreading out again after passing through small openings is known as diffraction. When sound echoes linger after the original source has vanished, this is known as reverberation. When sound waves pass through a different medium and bend, this is known as refraction.
Architectural acoustics is a process that many acoustical engineers use to control sound within buildings. Its main goal is to reduce the amount of noise that travels through walls. For improved speech clarity, rooms may be designed to reduce sound reverberation times, or the time it takes for sound to fade. However, some large auditoriums are built with the intent of amplifying sound throughout the space. Before microphones were widely used, this technique was used in concert halls and public meeting spaces.
Noise control isn’t limited to individual structures. To reduce traffic noise from highways or airports to residential areas, an urban planner may hire an acoustical engineer. Noise barrier walls, which can be seen along many highways in urban areas, can help achieve this. Noise control can also be achieved establishing buffer zones. Airports and populated areas are frequently separated industrial or commercial zones.
Sonar and medical imaging technology may also be a part of the acoustical engineer’s job. Ships use sonar to determine the depth of the water around them. It works sending sound waves to the ocean floor and measuring how long it takes for them to return. An ultrasound is a technique for creating a picture of a fetus while pregnant. It works in a similar way to sonar in that it measures the reflected sound waves. The name comes from the sound waves’ frequency, which is above the human hearing limit.
Specific degree programs for an aspiring acoustical engineer are rare, though graduate-level degrees can occasionally be found. Typically, the field is taught as part of a mechanical or electrical engineering program. Acoustical engineers typically work as consultants to civil engineers and architects on a wide range of construction projects.