Addressing acoustic challenges to create a sociable environment

When it comes to creating inviting communal spaces in care homes, acoustic considerations are an important part of the overall experience for residents, staff, and visitors alike. Your ability to hear deteriorates with age, and hearing loss affects over 70 per cent of people aged over 70 years. Many people, even those commissioning or designing care homes, do not realise how problematic acoustic challenges can be for older people. It is very important that the hearing environment in a care home is not overlooked.

Older people move into a care home for a variety of reasons. It is safe to assume that relatives will be looking for peace of mind, and potential residents will be hoping to make new friends. The communal environment is a crucial part of the experience. Residents meet and dine together and most care homes put on a programme of activities to engage residents, helping them to stay mentally active and to socialise. Residents will struggle to participate in a social gathering if they cannot hear properly.

The hearing and communication difficulties care home residents might encounter centre around three main factors — hearing at distance, reverberation, and background noise. Furthermore, noise, or 'acoustic intrusion' can impact on wellbeing. The hearing loss that is common among older adults is exacerbated by dementia. This is because the condition complicates the ability to filter and prioritise sounds, leading to increased confusion and agitation.