The use of background noise to mask objectionable sounds to rodents

Abstract

Construction noise and vibration can interrupt sleep/concentration of humans during renovations. Noise treatments or vibration breaks can reduce the impact. But could background noise cover up a moderate level of construction noise? Innocuous sounds are used to mask quieter but more annoying sounds. The concept is commonly used in offices to aid in concentration and reduce annoyance in places where people work or sleep. But could it be used to mask construction noise if the recipients were rodents rather than people? In theory, the concept of sound masking should be valid for other species of animals. Excessive noise and vibration has been shown to affect rodent behavior including breeding. Their hearing, extending into the ultrasound region, complicates efforts to recognize and measure the rodents’ acoustical environment. During the past several years, we have had occasion to study the literature on rodents’ hearing and the use of masking to prevent the creatures from being bothered by intruding sound. In this paper, we summarize the literature and investigate the concept of masking for rodents with respect to regularly encountered sound sources and sounds from construction activities.