QUALITY ANALYSIS
HEALING SILENCE. REGAIN YOUR ACOUSTIC COMFORT
Discover how noise affects the nervous system
and transform your environment with organic
and aesthetic solutions for a healthier life.
Noise: the invisible enemy
Direct impacts of noise pollution on your biology.
CHRONIC STRESS
Increased cortisol levels and constant nervous tension, even during sleep.
COGNITIVE DECLINE
Reduced memory and daily mental performance, and difficulty concentrating.
AGEING
It accelerates the onset of premature hearing loss and cognitive impairment in mature age.
MENTAL HEALTH
Increased risk of anxiety, chronic irritability, and severe mental fatigue.
THE BIOWELLNESS METHODOLOGY
Our science-based process for diagnosing the health of your space.
ACCURATE MEASUREMENT
STEP 1
Utilizamos sonómetros de Clase 1 para analizar decibelios, reverberación y frecuencias molestas.
BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
STEP 2
Cruzamos datos acústicos con parámetros de salud para entender el impacto en tu fisiología.
THERAPEUTIC DESIGN
STEP 3
Proponemos una estrategia personalizada de materiales y distribución para mitigar el ruido.
Our Heiko BioWellness team relies on the PCE-432, a precision instrument designed for professionals requiring a comprehensive analysis of the acoustic environment. This makes it an ideal tool for bio habitat audits.
The seven key features that define its capabilities are as follows:
1· Class 1 accuracy: It complies with the most demanding technical standards (IEC 61672-1), ensuring legal and official measurements with a minimal margin of error. This is in contrast to conventional Class 2 sound level meters.
2· Octave band analyser: Breaks down noise into specific frequencies using octave and 1/3 octave band filters. This is essential for identifying whether the noise disturbance is low, medium or high, and for applying the correct insulation solution.
3· Multitasking measurement: Simultaneously measures several key acoustic parameters, including Leq (equivalent continuous sound level), L_(max), L_(min) and percentile levels, offering a comprehensive overview of the noise.
4· Data logging (datalogger): Includes a micro-SD memory card to store thousands of measurements. This enables long-term monitoring (e.g. overnight) to analyse sleep and rest patterns.
5· Frequency and time weightings: It features linear and health weightings (A, C and Z), as well as fast or slow response settings (Fast, Slow and Impulse), enabling it to adapt to constant noise or sudden impacts.
6· Integrated GPS: The device records the exact geographical coordinates of each measurement, providing unbeatable traceability for professional reports in outdoor locations or on large estates.
7· High-resolution backlit LCD screen: It displays data numerically and graphically (real-time frequency spectrum), facilitating immediate visual interpretation without the need to transfer data to a computer.
The decibel (dB) scale is logarithmic, meaning each 10-unit increase represents a tenfold increase in intensity. At the lower end of the scale, 0 dB represents the level of silence perceived by a healthy human ear, whereas a quiet environment such as a library is around 30 dB. As we move up the scale, the transition to areas where sound becomes a biological stressor rather than mere information occurs at normal conversation levels (60 dB) or urban traffic (80 dB).
Reaching the 100 to 120 dB range, which is typical of concerts or heavy machinery, puts us at immediate risk of hearing damage. The upper limit of 140 dB, equivalent to a jet aircraft taking off, is the point at which sound pressure becomes so extreme that it can cause the eardrum to rupture or result in irreversible damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. At this level, sound is perceived as a physical assault on the body.
The impact on the nervous system is profound and begins long before pain is felt. Exposure to loud noise activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, triggering the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This constant state of alertness increases heart rate and blood pressure, causing chronic irritability that disrupts sleep cycles and cognitive ability.
In the field of wellbeing, managing acoustic comfort is essential, as an overstimulated acoustic environment hinders cell repair and keeps the nervous system in a constant “fight or flight” state.
Organic and aesthetic solutions
Materials that are breathable and help to silence your surroundings.
What exactly is acoustic comfort?
This is a state in which the level of environmental noise is sufficiently low to not interfere with human activities or health. A space with good acoustics facilitates concentration and communication, and most importantly, allows the nervous system to repair itself during rest.
At what decibel level is noise considered harmful?
To ensure optimal rest, organisations such as the WHO recommend that the level of background noise in bedrooms should not exceed 30 dB. Continuous noise levels above 55 dB during the day can cause stress, high blood pressure and cognitive fatigue.
Why is it necessary to use a Class 1 sound level meter for measurement?
Accuracy is vital. Class 1 equipment, such as the PCE-432 that we use, has a minimal margin of error and enables frequencies, or tones, to be analysed. This is essential for identifying whether the disturbance originates from low-frequency vibrations (e.g. motors) or high-pitched noises, which a basic meter cannot detect.
How does night-time noise affect my health if I don't wake up?
Even if it does not wake us up, noise activates our alert system. The brain interprets this as a threat, which raises cortisol and adrenaline levels. This prevents sleep from reaching its deepest, most restorative stages, resulting in chronic fatigue and a lack of vitality upon waking.
What solutions are available if my home suffers from noise pollution?
Depending on the results of the frequency analysis, solutions can range from reinforcing enclosures (such as windows and doors) and installing absorbent panels, to using state-of-the-art acoustic insulation materials in walls. We provide a roadmap with specific corrective measures in each study.
Do they also measure low-frequency noise or vibrations?
Yes. Low-frequency noise, such as that from lifts, air conditioning units or heavy traffic, is usually the most invasive and difficult for the human ear to detect, yet it is the most stressful for the nervous system. Our specialised team analyses these octave bands in order to diagnose the problem correctly.