HCAHPS Survey and Acoustics
September 23, 2016
The main goal of healthcare is to promote healing and recovery for patients. Recent studies have found that a poor acoustic environment can drastically affect the recovery of patients. However, on the most recent HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
Video vs Audio
April 12, 2012
There is often a chill that runs up your spine when something is really well done. That happened for me the first time I heard the “THX chord” in a theater. It reinforced that audio gives us the emotion and
Focus on Acoustics: Keeping Bowling Alley Noise in the Gutter
April 1, 2010
Modern bowling alleys have transitioned from the stale, smoky lounges of decades past to family entertainment centers that offer a variety of activities. Frequently, bowling alleys are now part of larger buildings such as shopping malls and even mixed-use developments
Project Profile: Research Triangle Institute
February 1, 2010
Thorburn Associates was pleased to work with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) on their Building 8 Auditorium. Approximately 200 seats, the project was built by Duke Construction. TA provided both audiovisual and acoustical consulting for this user-friendly meeting and briefing space.
Focus on Technology: FCC Orders Frequency Changes for Wireless Microphones to Make Room for new 4G Wireless
February 1, 2010
Guess what? The AV industry is the small kid on the block… If you are in the US you have likely seen the commercials for Verizon and AT&T cellular data coverage plans. The new 4G wireless systems are available, in
Focus on Technology: Overhead Microphone Systems
December 1, 2009
Your ears are really good acoustical measurement tools. Sit in a space alone sometime, clear your mind, and see how many different sounds you can identify. Very often, you will be able to pick out five or six sounds and
Focus on Acoustics: Containing Fan and Duct Noise
December 1, 2009
During a recent tour of an existing campus, we were shown a classroom that was in the process of having a complete, bells-and-whistles audiovisual package installed to support a distance learning program. However, our project meeting quickly took an unscheduled
Product Review: Fabric Duct
October 1, 2009
Fabric duct products, such as DuctSox, are often specified nowadays as a lower cost alternative to traditional metal ductwork for large spaces – such as gymnasiums, cafeterias, and convention halls – where large volumes of air need to be evenly
Product Review: Pyrok
August 1, 2009
What does the abbreviation “NRC” mean to you? To acousticians it usually means Noise Reduction Coefficient, a single number rating for the absorptive characteristics of a specific material AND mounting condition at four frequencies within the range of speech. It
Project Profile: Quintiles
August 1, 2009
Quintiles Transnational, which helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies develop and market innovative therapies, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. At 252,000 square feet, the new, 10- story, glass-and-concrete structure, with room