Flemings install sound sensors to measure the impact of sound on health
Sound sensors have been installed on the front facades of hundreds of homes in Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven. For a period of two months, these will map out which sounds we hear every day, which are the loudest and what sound does to our health. The sensors were installed as part of a noise research initiative called 'De oorzaak' – the ‘cause’ in English, but literally also the ‘ear case’. It’s the largest citizens’ survey on noise ever conducted in Flanders.
From planes flying overhead and loud traffic during the rush hour to birds whistling on a Sunday morning. For 2 months, smart sound sensors will map out in detail the ambient noise in several Flemish cities.
"We are going to investigate what sounds can be heard, when they occur, and what the impact on health is," explains Laura Jacqmain of Antwerp University (UAntwerpen), who is taking part in this study. "Among other things, we are going to look at sleep quality, sensitivity to sound and the participants' ears."
Artificial intelligence to play a part
To measure all this, microphones will be placed on the front facades of several hundred homes. "The microphones are equipped with a smart system that is going to label which sounds are present," explains Verena Ivens of Antwerp University Hospital's Sleep Centre.
"Using artificial intelligence, the system is going to be able to determine whether sound comes from cars or trucks, for example, or from people's voices. To guarantee the privacy of all participants the system is constructed in such a way that it does not record conversations”.
On a daily basis participants will also be able to use a dashboard to see what ambient noise is like in their neighbourhood. A total of 627 people from Antwerp, 370 from Ghent and 200 from Leuven volunteered for the survey. Jan De Kezel, who lives near Sint-Pieters Station in Ghent, is participating because he has noticed that the noise in his neighbourhood has increased in recent years.
"It can be very quiet here in the neighbourhood, but suddenly it can become very noisy very rapidly," says the Ghentian. "It does something to your body when you suddenly have to deal with an enormous amount of noise, and sometimes it can become a bit much. Only when there is no noise for a while do you notice how quickly you regain your composure."
"We wondered whether the increase in noise was simply a personal perception or whether it really was the case. This study is a good opportunity to record that objectively. If there turns out to be a problem, I also hope we can dialogue with the city authorities."
How harmful is noise?
That noise is harmful to hearing is obviously not new, but too much ambient noise can also be harmful to health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it can lead to chronic stress, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental illness.
This project is the largest citizens’ survey on noise ever in Flanders and is an initiative of Antwerp University, Antwerp University Hospital and daily De Morgen. It started in September 2023, when participants mapped out their noise environment during a walk through their neighbourhood. More than 8,000 people also completed a noise survey.