Performance of Noise Absorbers: A Systematic Review of Criteria for Low- to Mid-frequency Noise Absorbers
Criteria for Low to mid Frequency Noise Absorbers
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Abstract
Background: Absorption of low- to mid-frequency (LMF) noise has been challenging because of the inherently poor dissipation of classical noise-absorbing materials. For decades, the effective absorption of LMF noise has been an important topic and has attracted considerable interest from scientists in physics and engineering circles.
Method: This systematic review was conducted to assess the performance of LMF noise absorbers while considering influencing factors. Literature databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE, and Science Direct, were searched. In addition to the bibliographic sources, key publications and journal databases were searched from 2000 to 2022. Twenty studies were selected on the basis of the inclusion criteria. The data from the papers were analyzed via plot digitizer software.
Results: The results indicated that, with the exception of two factors resistivity and inner diameter the other factors positively affected the performance of low- to mid-frequency (between 40 and 1000 Hz) noise absorbers. With an increase in the number of layers, the absorption coefficient decreased by 0.06. In addition, increasing the surface porosity and thickness significantly increased the absorption coefficient at low to mid frequencies (0.16). By increasing the fiber gap, the absorption coefficient increased significantly by 0.06.
Conclusion: Among the various factors, the porosity, thickness, air gap, fiber gap, perforated plate, and mass had the most significant effects on the performance of the noise absorbers.
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3. Caniato M, Bettarello F, Schmid C. Low frequency noise and disturbance assessment methods: A brief literature overview and a new proposal. Proc Meet Acoust. 2016;27:040003.
4. Howe B, Principal P. Low frequency noise and infrasound associated with wind turbine generator systems: a literature review. Ontario: Ministry of the Environment RFP; 2010.
5. Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska M, Dudarewicz A, Zaborowski K, Zamojska-Daniszewska M, Waszkowska M. Evaluation of annoyance from low frequency noise under laboratory conditions. Noise Health. 2010;12(48):166–81.
6. Alves JA, Silva LT, Remoaldo PC. Impacts of low frequency noise exposure on well-being: a case-study from Portugal. Noise Health. 2018;20(95):131–45.
7. Jafari MJ, Monazam MR, Kazempour M. Providing an optimal porous absorbent pattern to reduce mid to low- frequency sounds. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2018;16:289– 97.
8. Baliatsas C, van Kamp I, van Poll R, Yzermans J. Health effects from low-frequency noise and infrasound in the general population: Is it time to listen? A systematic review of observational studies. Sci Total Environ. 2016;557–558:163–9.
9. Shehap AM, Shawky HA, El-Basheer TM. Study and assessment of low frequency noise in occupational settings. Arch Acoust. 2016;41(1):151–60.
10. Silva LT, Alves JA, Remoaldo PC. A mobile environmental monitoring station for sustainable cities. Environ Econ Impact Sustain Dev. 2016;1:123.
11. Kazempour M, Monazam MR, Jafari MJ. The impact of low frequency noise on mental performance during math calculations. Presented at: 1st National Conference on Noise Pollution; 2011.
12. Jafari M, Kazempour M. Mental processing of human subjects with different individual characters exposed to low frequency noise. Int J Occup Hyg. 2013;5(2):64–70.
13. Babisch W. Traffic noise and cardiovascular disease: epidemiological review and synthesis. Noise Health. 2000;2(8):9–32.
14. Passchier-Vermeer W, Passchier WF. Noise exposure and public health. Environ Health Perspect. 2000;108(Suppl 1):123–31.
15. Ising H, Kruppa B. Health effects caused by noise: evidence in the literature from the past 25 years. Noise
Health. 2004;6(22):5–13.
16. Bluhm G, Nordling E, Berglind N. Road traffic noise and hypertension. Occup Environ Med. 2007;64(2):122–6.
17. Zanganeh J, Kundu S, Moghtaderi B. An innovative passive noise control technique for environmental protection: An experimental study in explosion noise attenuation. Sustainability. 2024;16(8):3201.
18. Chang L, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Li Y, Zhang X. Progress of low-frequency sound absorption research utilizing intelligent materials and acoustic metamaterials. Appl Sci. 2021;11(60):37784–800.
19. Banerjee A, Das R, Calius EPJ. Waves in structured mediums or metamaterials: a review. Arch Comput Methods Eng. 2019;26:1029–58.
20. Broner N. The effects of low frequency noise on people—a review. J Sound Vib. 1978;58(4):483–500.
21. Morrow CT. Noise control versus shock and vibration engineering. J Acoust Soc Am. 1974;55(4):695–9.
22. Carey WM, Wagstaff RA. Low‐frequency noise fields. J Acoust Soc Am. 1986;80(5):1523–6.
23. Jafari M, Monazzam MR, Nezafat A, Azari MR. The influences of low frequency noise on mental performance. Iran Occup Health. 2008;18(63):55–65.
24. Jafari M, Kazempour MJ. Mental processing of human subjects with different individual characters exposed to low frequency noise. Int J Occup Hyg. 2013;5(2):64–70.
25. Berglund B, Hassmén P, Job RS. Sources and effects of low‐frequency noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 1996;99(5):2985– 3002.
26. Yang Z, Lee Y, Wang Y, Lee S. Acoustic metamaterial panels for sound attenuation in the 50–1000 Hz regime. Appl Phys Lett. 2010;96(4):041906.
27. Allard JF, Atalla N. Propagation of sound in porous media: modelling sound absorbing materials. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 2009.
28. Patra H, Roup CM, Feth LL. Masking of low-frequency signals by high-frequency, high-level narrow bands of noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 2011;129(2):876–87.
29. Zent A, Long JT. Automotive sound absorbing material survey results. SAE Tech Pap. 2007.
30. Rozli Z, Zulkarnain Z. Noise control using coconut coir fiber sound absorber with porous layer backing and perforated panel. Am J Appl Sci. 2010;7(2):260–4.
31. Jafari MJ, Monazzam MR, Kazempour M. Providing an optimal porous absorbent pattern to reduce mid to low- frequency sounds. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2018;16:289– 97.
32. Zhang Y, Cheng LJ. Ultra-thin and broadband low- frequency underwater acoustic meta-absorber. Int J Mech Sci. 2021;210:106732.
33. Chen C, Zhang X, Wang Y, Liu Y. A low-frequency sound absorbing material with subwavelength thickness. Appl Phys Lett. 2017;110(22):221903.
34. Puranik PR, Rana PP, Puranik RRP. Nonwoven acoustic textiles – a review. Int J Adv Res Eng Technol. 2014;5(3):8.
35. Amares S, Rahman NA, Zulkarnain Z, et al. A review: characteristics of noise absorption material. J Phys Conf Ser. 2017;908:012005.
36. Puranik PR, Rana PP, Puranik RRP. Nonwoven acoustic textiles–a review. J Adv Res Sci Eng Technol. 2014;5(8).
37. Scandurra G, D’Antonio E, Ianniello C, et al. A review of design approaches for the implementation of low- frequency noise measurement systems. Rev Sci Instrum. 2022;93(11):115001.
38. Akasaka S, Yamamoto T, Kuroda M, et al. Low‐frequency sound absorption of organic hybrid comprised of chlorinated polyethylene and N,N′‐dicyclohexyl‐2‐ benzothiazolyl sulfenamide. J Appl Polym Sci. 2006;99(6):2878–84.
39. Chen W, Zhang X, Wang Y, et al. Design of multi-layered porous fibrous metals for optimal sound absorption in the low frequency range. Theor Appl Mech Lett. 2016;6(1):42– 8.
40. Chen Y, Liu Y, Hu G, Huang G. Analytical coupled vibroacoustic modeling of membrane-type acoustic metamaterials: Plate model. J Acoust Soc Am. 2014;136(6):2926–34.
41. Fouladi MH, Ayub M, Nor MJM. Utilization of coir fiber in multilayer acoustic absorption panel. Appl Acoust. 2010;71(3):241–9.
42. Kim JW, Mendoza JM. Sound absorption performance of layered micro-perforated and poro-elastic materials. Noise Control Eng J. 2013;61(1):100–13.
43. Li D, Chang D, Liu B. Enhancing the low frequency sound absorption of a perforated panel by parallel-arranged extended tubes. Appl Acoust. 2016;102:126–32.
44. Mei J, Ma G, Yang M, Yang Z, Wen W, Sheng P. Dark acoustic metamaterials as super absorbers for low- frequency sound. Nat Commun. 2012;3:756.
45. Park JH, Lee JH, Kim Y, Lee PJ. Optimization of low frequency sound absorption by cell size control and multiscale poroacoustics modeling. J Sound Vib. 2017;397:17–30.
46. Peng LG, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Li J. Preparation and low frequency sound absorption properties of silicate composite material. Adv Mater Res. 2012;482–484:1133– 6.
47. Qian Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu Y. Improvement of sound absorption characteristics under low frequency for micro- perforated panel absorbers using super-aligned carbon nanotube arrays. Appl Acoust. 2014;82:23–7.
48. Shen Y, Jiang G. Sound absorption properties of composite structure with activated carbon fiber felts. J Text Inst. 2014;105(10):1100–7.
49. Tang Y, Yang M, Dai H, Naify CJ, Cheng Y, Jing Y. Hybrid acoustic metamaterial as super absorber for broadband low-frequency sound. Sci Rep. 2017;7:43340.
50. Zhao X, Fan X. Enhancing low frequency sound absorption of micro-perforated panel absorbers by using mechanical impedance plates. Appl Acoust. 2015;88:123–8.
51. Choy Y, Huang L, Wang C. Sound propagation in and low frequency noise absorption by helium-filled porous material. J Acoust Soc Am. 2009;126(6):3008–19.
52. Mihan A, Jafari MJ, Monazzam MR, Kazempour M, Ghanbari R. Social accountability in undergraduate medical education: a narrative review. Educ Health (Abingdon). 2022;35(1):3–8.
2. Araújo Alves J, Silva LT, Remoaldo PC. Low-frequency noise and its main effects on human health—A review of the literature between 2016 and 2019. Appl Sci. 2020;10(15):5205.
3. Caniato M, Bettarello F, Schmid C. Low frequency noise and disturbance assessment methods: A brief literature overview and a new proposal. Proc Meet Acoust. 2016;27:040003.
4. Howe B, Principal P. Low frequency noise and infrasound associated with wind turbine generator systems: a literature review. Ontario: Ministry of the Environment RFP; 2010.
5. Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska M, Dudarewicz A, Zaborowski K, Zamojska-Daniszewska M, Waszkowska M. Evaluation of annoyance from low frequency noise under laboratory conditions. Noise Health. 2010;12(48):166–81.
6. Alves JA, Silva LT, Remoaldo PC. Impacts of low frequency noise exposure on well-being: a case-study from Portugal. Noise Health. 2018;20(95):131–45.
7. Jafari MJ, Monazam MR, Kazempour M. Providing an optimal porous absorbent pattern to reduce mid to low- frequency sounds. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2018;16:289– 97.
8. Baliatsas C, van Kamp I, van Poll R, Yzermans J. Health effects from low-frequency noise and infrasound in the general population: Is it time to listen? A systematic review of observational studies. Sci Total Environ. 2016;557–558:163–9.
9. Shehap AM, Shawky HA, El-Basheer TM. Study and assessment of low frequency noise in occupational settings. Arch Acoust. 2016;41(1):151–60.
10. Silva LT, Alves JA, Remoaldo PC. A mobile environmental monitoring station for sustainable cities. Environ Econ Impact Sustain Dev. 2016;1:123.
11. Kazempour M, Monazam MR, Jafari MJ. The impact of low frequency noise on mental performance during math calculations. Presented at: 1st National Conference on Noise Pollution; 2011.
12. Jafari M, Kazempour M. Mental processing of human subjects with different individual characters exposed to low frequency noise. Int J Occup Hyg. 2013;5(2):64–70.
13. Babisch W. Traffic noise and cardiovascular disease: epidemiological review and synthesis. Noise Health. 2000;2(8):9–32.
14. Passchier-Vermeer W, Passchier WF. Noise exposure and public health. Environ Health Perspect. 2000;108(Suppl 1):123–31.
15. Ising H, Kruppa B. Health effects caused by noise: evidence in the literature from the past 25 years. Noise
Health. 2004;6(22):5–13.
16. Bluhm G, Nordling E, Berglind N. Road traffic noise and hypertension. Occup Environ Med. 2007;64(2):122–6.
17. Zanganeh J, Kundu S, Moghtaderi B. An innovative passive noise control technique for environmental protection: An experimental study in explosion noise attenuation. Sustainability. 2024;16(8):3201.
18. Chang L, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Li Y, Zhang X. Progress of low-frequency sound absorption research utilizing intelligent materials and acoustic metamaterials. Appl Sci. 2021;11(60):37784–800.
19. Banerjee A, Das R, Calius EPJ. Waves in structured mediums or metamaterials: a review. Arch Comput Methods Eng. 2019;26:1029–58.
20. Broner N. The effects of low frequency noise on people—a review. J Sound Vib. 1978;58(4):483–500.
21. Morrow CT. Noise control versus shock and vibration engineering. J Acoust Soc Am. 1974;55(4):695–9.
22. Carey WM, Wagstaff RA. Low‐frequency noise fields. J Acoust Soc Am. 1986;80(5):1523–6.
23. Jafari M, Monazzam MR, Nezafat A, Azari MR. The influences of low frequency noise on mental performance. Iran Occup Health. 2008;18(63):55–65.
24. Jafari M, Kazempour MJ. Mental processing of human subjects with different individual characters exposed to low frequency noise. Int J Occup Hyg. 2013;5(2):64–70.
25. Berglund B, Hassmén P, Job RS. Sources and effects of low‐frequency noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 1996;99(5):2985– 3002.
26. Yang Z, Lee Y, Wang Y, Lee S. Acoustic metamaterial panels for sound attenuation in the 50–1000 Hz regime. Appl Phys Lett. 2010;96(4):041906.
27. Allard JF, Atalla N. Propagation of sound in porous media: modelling sound absorbing materials. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 2009.
28. Patra H, Roup CM, Feth LL. Masking of low-frequency signals by high-frequency, high-level narrow bands of noise. J Acoust Soc Am. 2011;129(2):876–87.
29. Zent A, Long JT. Automotive sound absorbing material survey results. SAE Tech Pap. 2007.
30. Rozli Z, Zulkarnain Z. Noise control using coconut coir fiber sound absorber with porous layer backing and perforated panel. Am J Appl Sci. 2010;7(2):260–4.
31. Jafari MJ, Monazzam MR, Kazempour M. Providing an optimal porous absorbent pattern to reduce mid to low- frequency sounds. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2018;16:289– 97.
32. Zhang Y, Cheng LJ. Ultra-thin and broadband low- frequency underwater acoustic meta-absorber. Int J Mech Sci. 2021;210:106732.
33. Chen C, Zhang X, Wang Y, Liu Y. A low-frequency sound absorbing material with subwavelength thickness. Appl Phys Lett. 2017;110(22):221903.
34. Puranik PR, Rana PP, Puranik RRP. Nonwoven acoustic textiles – a review. Int J Adv Res Eng Technol. 2014;5(3):8.
35. Amares S, Rahman NA, Zulkarnain Z, et al. A review: characteristics of noise absorption material. J Phys Conf Ser. 2017;908:012005.
36. Puranik PR, Rana PP, Puranik RRP. Nonwoven acoustic textiles–a review. J Adv Res Sci Eng Technol. 2014;5(8).
37. Scandurra G, D’Antonio E, Ianniello C, et al. A review of design approaches for the implementation of low- frequency noise measurement systems. Rev Sci Instrum. 2022;93(11):115001.
38. Akasaka S, Yamamoto T, Kuroda M, et al. Low‐frequency sound absorption of organic hybrid comprised of chlorinated polyethylene and N,N′‐dicyclohexyl‐2‐ benzothiazolyl sulfenamide. J Appl Polym Sci. 2006;99(6):2878–84.
39. Chen W, Zhang X, Wang Y, et al. Design of multi-layered porous fibrous metals for optimal sound absorption in the low frequency range. Theor Appl Mech Lett. 2016;6(1):42– 8.
40. Chen Y, Liu Y, Hu G, Huang G. Analytical coupled vibroacoustic modeling of membrane-type acoustic metamaterials: Plate model. J Acoust Soc Am. 2014;136(6):2926–34.
41. Fouladi MH, Ayub M, Nor MJM. Utilization of coir fiber in multilayer acoustic absorption panel. Appl Acoust. 2010;71(3):241–9.
42. Kim JW, Mendoza JM. Sound absorption performance of layered micro-perforated and poro-elastic materials. Noise Control Eng J. 2013;61(1):100–13.
43. Li D, Chang D, Liu B. Enhancing the low frequency sound absorption of a perforated panel by parallel-arranged extended tubes. Appl Acoust. 2016;102:126–32.
44. Mei J, Ma G, Yang M, Yang Z, Wen W, Sheng P. Dark acoustic metamaterials as super absorbers for low- frequency sound. Nat Commun. 2012;3:756.
45. Park JH, Lee JH, Kim Y, Lee PJ. Optimization of low frequency sound absorption by cell size control and multiscale poroacoustics modeling. J Sound Vib. 2017;397:17–30.
46. Peng LG, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Li J. Preparation and low frequency sound absorption properties of silicate composite material. Adv Mater Res. 2012;482–484:1133– 6.
47. Qian Y, Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu Y. Improvement of sound absorption characteristics under low frequency for micro- perforated panel absorbers using super-aligned carbon nanotube arrays. Appl Acoust. 2014;82:23–7.
48. Shen Y, Jiang G. Sound absorption properties of composite structure with activated carbon fiber felts. J Text Inst. 2014;105(10):1100–7.
49. Tang Y, Yang M, Dai H, Naify CJ, Cheng Y, Jing Y. Hybrid acoustic metamaterial as super absorber for broadband low-frequency sound. Sci Rep. 2017;7:43340.
50. Zhao X, Fan X. Enhancing low frequency sound absorption of micro-perforated panel absorbers by using mechanical impedance plates. Appl Acoust. 2015;88:123–8.
51. Choy Y, Huang L, Wang C. Sound propagation in and low frequency noise absorption by helium-filled porous material. J Acoust Soc Am. 2009;126(6):3008–19.
52. Mihan A, Jafari MJ, Monazzam MR, Kazempour M, Ghanbari R. Social accountability in undergraduate medical education: a narrative review. Educ Health (Abingdon). 2022;35(1):3–8.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 15 No 1 (2023) | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Published | 2025-12-08 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Noise Absorbers; Criteria; porosity; thickness; air gap; perforated plate | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Kazempour M, Mokhayeri Y. Performance of Noise Absorbers: A Systematic Review of Criteria for Low- to Mid-frequency Noise Absorbers. Int J Occup Hyg. 2025;15(1):12-21.
