A recent thematic analysis of the indoor soundscape for work found that home-office workers are frequently disrupted by both continuous and impulsive noises - from internal (in your home) noises like next-room noises, loud appliances, etc. and external (different neighbours' noises - voices, steps, moving furniture, dropping things, etc.) - all of them leading to reduced concentration, increased stress hormones, and even long-term health effects such as sleep disturbances and elevated blood pressure
In Europe, about 65 % of the population is exposed to ambient sound levels above 55 dB during the day, and nearly 17 % above 65 dB, making effective home sound control critical
By contrast, in Tokyo many residents resort to wearing earplugs outdoors to cope with relentless city noise, highlighting cross-cultural challenges for homeworkers.
#1 Whining Children (~70 dB)
Whining combines both high frequency and unpredictable tonal shifts, making it one of the most annoying sounds recorded in laboratory settings. (And NO, it doesn't help if the children are yours and you love them!) A study found that adult participants made more errors on cognitive tasks when exposed to whining versus mechanical noises or even a chainsaw growl. At around 70 dB - comparable to busy traffic - it elevates cortisol and reduces short-term memory performance, leading to frequent breaks in concentration.
#2 Vacuum Cleaner (60–80 dB)
Domestic vacuums typically produce between 60 and 80 dB, with upright models hitting 70–80 dB on average. Continuous mechanical noise fatigues the brain’s auditory processing centres, increasing irritability and reducing the ability to sustain attention on complex tasks for more than 20–30 minutes without a break.
#3 High Heels from Upstairs (~65 dB)
In many apartments, the rhythmic “click-clack” of high-heeled shoes on wooden or tiled floors can register around 65 dB - comparable to the roar of a vacuum cleaner close to your ears. This type of impact noise transmits structurally through walls and ceilings, causing sudden jolts that repeatedly break concentration. Neurologically, these abrupt, patterned impulses engage the brain’s salience network (designed to detect and respond to unexpected events), thereby, elevating stress hormones like cortisol and making it difficult to sustain deep focus or achieve restful sleep in the night.
#4 Dog Barking (60–100 dB)
A single dog's bark can reach 80 dB and some breeds up to 100 dB—louder than a vacuum cleaner. Its sudden onset startles the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering adrenaline release and breaking concentration cycles. Extended exposure can contribute to chronic stress symptoms.
#5 Dripping Tap (~40 dB)
Though only about 40 dB, the rhythmic “plink” of a dripping tap is highly annoying due to its repetition and mid-frequency content of around 500–1 kHz. Each drop can subconsciously cue the brain’s salience network, pulling focus away and increasing overall stress over time.
#6 Door Slams (~96 dB)
A door slammed two feet away can peak at 96 dB - comparable to heavy traffic horns. These transient sounds can cause a temporary threshold shift in hearing sensitivity and disrupt the so-called “flow state,” requiring several minutes to refocus on cognitively demanding work.
#7 Phone Notifications (~90 dB)
Ringtones and notification alerts can exceed 90 dB, especially if set to loud settings. These high-pitched, transient sounds hijack attention networks, prompting immediate shifts in task-related brain activity and a noticeable drop in productivity, along with brief heart rate spikes.
If you think all these sounds are not that bad in real life, GOOD LUCK having your quality work done in such a noisy environment (especially in a prolonged time).
