Reverberation noise

Professional Definition

The component of noise in a room, resulting from the reflection of sound waves from the surfaces that enclose that room and from objects within it.

From a technical point of view, the total sound level in a room consists of direct sound (traveling straight from the source to the ear) and reverberant noise (the reverberation field). This is the acoustic energy that has not been absorbed by the walls, ceiling, or furniture, but has undergone multiple reflections, overlapping and raising the background acoustics of the interior. Its level directly depends on the acoustic absorption of finishing materials.

Acoustics in Simple Words

Imagine a room where the floor, ceiling, and walls are covered with mirrors, and you light a single candle in the middle. Thanks to thousands of reflections, the room becomes very bright, even though the light source is weak. Reverberant noise works the same way, but with sound. If we have "acoustic mirrors" (concrete, glass, smooth plaster) in the room, every word, tap, or scrape of a chair echoes infinitely, creating acoustic smog. In such noise, we have to raise our voices to be heard, which only fuels the noise spiral.

Summary

Reverberant noise is a secondary sound created from the reflection of waves off hard surfaces. Its reduction does not require silencing machines or people, but the use of sound-absorbing materials (e.g., acoustic panels) that "drink" excess acoustic energy from the air.