Is there an active noise suppression computer technology to block sporadic traffic sounds over a large area?
I own a timeshare in a resort whose rooms are too close to the “varooming” and “swishing” sounds of motor vehicles from a highway. A physical fence to block the sound is infeasible, so I suggested a computer system with speakers to project sounds that would cancel the intermittent noise from vehicles, as well as the occasional noise from a car racetrack at the other side of a small lake. It is not only the direct sound that makes it annoying, but also the sound that bounces off of the cliffs to the rear of the resort.
I am also interested in active noise cancelation headphones for myself, if anyone can suggest the best product for the price.
How much do these technologies cost, if they exist, and how good are they for sporadic sounds from traffic, or the booming of blasters from cars as they pass, as opposed to the constant humming or other base sounds you get from, say, an aircraft? Note: I have a good musical ear, which may be why I become so annoyed by these kinds of sounds.
By: lets_tally
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Filed under Other - Electronics by on Jan 7th, 2010. 
Comments on Is there an active noise suppression computer technology to block sporadic traffic sounds over a large area?
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that sad where you are, here the only loud sound is the fan in this computer
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Such technology exists. I frequently see ads for the headphones. Bose makes a headset, but it’s expensive, over $300. There are cheaper ones if you look under travel. They are advertised for air travel a lot. I don’t know how well any of them work.
I think Honda has a noise suppression system for some of their cars. A mechanic told me that if you remove the fuse for the radio the car becomes very noisy. The radio uses active noise cancellation even when it is turned off.
If they can do it for the inside of a car you would think there would be something available for the home, but I don’t know if there is or not. You would need too much power to cancel noise outside.
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As far as some giant electronic system to make your resort peacefully quiet, you can forget it. A noise cancellation system to do that would be extremely complex, prohibitively expensive to install and operate, and would make only marginal improvements in the noise level.
Noise cancelling headphones are nice if you are listening to music and don’t mind wearing them all the time. But these will not help with ambient noise any more than ear plugs.
Maybe it is just time to trade timeshares.
Wk
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As a musician, you should already know that sounds are waves travelling through the air. A wave form has a peak and valley. The amplitude being the difference in height between the peaks and valleys. The frequency being the distance between the peaks or valleys.
Waves may seem to cancel each other–BUT ONLY AT A SPECIFIC LOCATION. Actually the waves simply pass through each other. So, while the noise may be cancelled at one spot, the noise will not be cancelled at an adjacent spot. In fact, the noise may be amplified at an adjacent spot.
Your absolute best solution will be to improve the acoustics of the walls, windows, and doors of the unit. Sound insulation is what you need.
A good double pane window will significantly reduce noise compared to a single pane window.
Look into sound insulation solutions.