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A man claims that for the past four months, his rude neighbor has been making a lot of noise in the morning and evening by hammering and drilling

SINGAPORE: After four months of extremely loud noise from his careless neighbor, a man vented on social media.

The man detailed his experience in a post on Reddit’s Ask Singapore forum, stating that he has been regularly awakened by loud hammering sounds emanating from his ceiling at approximately 6 to 7 a.m.

Additionally, he stated that this sporadic sound can last for approximately 30 minutes, occasionally lasting into the afternoon or even as late as 10 p.m., and it happens every 1 to 2 minutes.

He added that the neighbor who lives above him regularly uses large equipment that “resembles a drill, though it may also be a saw or similar equipment” in addition to the hammering.

He wrote, “He usually waits until 10 a.m. before beginning to drill, but on weekends he may begin at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. or operate it in 1-second bursts at 6-7 a.m.”

He has also attempted to resolve the matter by leaving several notes expressing his concerns at his neighbor’s door at around six in the morning, but to no avail.

He wakes me up all the time. He said, “I left another angry note at their door, and this person started hammering at 5 a.m. today, to the point where I have multiple nightmares.”

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Asia Noise News Home Noise Disturbance

A man who moved into an apartment next to Bukit Merah claims that he is a neighbor from hell and that he can only sleep in the living room

When a man realized he was living next to a “neighbor from hell,” his excitement about moving into a new house was dampened.

According to Shin Min Daily News, 55-year-old Lin has called the police four times in less than six months because he can’t stand the loud music coming into his Bukit Merah apartment.

She frequently turns up the volume on the radio, and I can hear the music coming from my bedroom. The salesperson stated that the music occasionally lasted from the evening until the following afternoon.

“Apart from the music, she often slams the door in the middle of the night, and the ‘bang’ sound would jolt me from sleep.”

Lin provided voice recordings and videos that show loud music playing all night long.

The woman’s apartment is directly next to Lin’s bedroom, so the noise from her house has been disturbing his sleep.

“Over the past few weeks, the situation has gotten worse, even though I purchased headphones to help block out some of the noise. Now I’m limited to sleeping in the living room,” he remarked.

Lin clarified that the prior homeowner had not brought up the noise disturbance issue, so he was ignorant of it.

They admitted to selling the apartment due to the female neighbor when he got in touch with them again.

“She told me the wall is too thin and the problem is not her fault, even though all I asked was that she turn down the volume.

Later on, she even cursed at me. I hope she can control her music consumption, but I’m not stopping her,” Lin remarked.

“I’m not sure if I can handle this any longer. There are times when I would rather work than stay home.

Although he has considered selling the apartment, Lin stated that he only moved in less than a year ago and is concerned that the noise disturbance will affect the next tenant as well.

The neighbor in question refused to comment when Shin Min approached him.

The woman was once referred to as Punggol’s “neighbour from hell” and reportedly forced six families to relocate in just two years, according to Bukit Merah residents.

According to The Straits Times in 2019, these families accused the woman of stomping on the floor, playing loud music, splashing oil at their doors, and even leaving a bloody pig’s ear on a shoe rack.

However, she had denied all accusations towards her in a follow-up interview with Lianhe Wanbao, and claimed the circulated videos of her were edited.

The woman subsequently moved to Bukit Merah in 2020, where she purportedly continued harassing residents there by playing loud music.

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Asia Noise News Environment Home Noise Disturbance

Residents of Sengkang lament the “exceptionally” loud aircraft noise in the neighborhood.

Imagine being unable to focus while working from home because of the continuous, loud whooshes of airplanes passing overhead.

Alson, a Sengkang resident, shared his issues with noise on Xiao Hong Shu.

“This part of Sengkang is too noisy,” he wrote. I’m not sure if anyone can relate. I work from home and recently moved here. I counted five or six planes flying overhead in a half hour. They were most likely jets based on the unusually loud noise.

One of the nearby apartments is also undergoing renovations, which exacerbates the situation. His living conditions are almost intolerable due to the noise from the jets and the chaos from the renovations.

“I won’t have to go to any more online meetings if the plane noises continue. Does the same noise occur in other neighborhoods as well? Andn was added.

Because netizens from Punggol, Potong Pasir, Buangkok, and Hougang have chimed in to share similar experiences, it appears that Alson’s experience is not unique to him.

“I live in Punggol, and it’s just as noisy here,” one internet user complained. Every time I hear the noise, my cat is startled awake. The noise level at Greenwich Drive, where I work, is extremely high. There are times when you can even feel the building trembling a little. It’s a waste of time that we frequently have to halt our meetings for a short while [because of the loud noise].

Alson may not be able to see the jets from his place, but he can definitely hear them
Alson may not be able to see the jets from his place, but he can definitely hear them

Some residents claimed that they had “already gotten used to the noise” despite the numerous complaints from unhappy residents.

One netizen wrote, “No choice, you can either live with it or move away,” while another recommended that impacted residents consider “soundproofing their houses.”

But who’s going to foot the bill?

The affected areas appear to be close to the Paya Lebar Air Base, and it is likely that the sounds were produced by Air Force jets during training.

Additionally, some stated that they “don’t mind the noise at all” because it serves as a reminder of the Singapore Air Force’s tireless efforts to maintain national security.

In an interview with 8days.sg, a resident of Punggol’s Northshore estate confirmed that she frequently hears “super noisy planes.”

The Paya Lebar Airbase will be “relocated nearer to the coast from 2030 onwards, reducing the number of RSAF planes flying overhead Punggol residents,” claimed Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Yeo Wan Ling in a 2023 statement.
That’s still six years off, though.

Maybe you should look into other options first if you have your sights set on a home in any of the neighborhoods listed above.

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Asia Noise News Home Noise Disturbance

Singapore named one of the noisiest cities in the world, according to survey

A city’s sounds are what give it its identity.

However, certain locations are noisier than others.

Singapore came in ninth place in a survey by the US online language-learning platform Preply, suggesting that it is among the top 10 loudest cities in the world.

Hong Kong, New York City, and Paris are at the top of the list.

Seoul is ranked tenth, and Tokyo is ranked eighth among the other Asian cities mentioned.

Preply developed a seedlist of the world’s largest cities and then used metrics like population density, noise pollution levels, and even the quantity of attraction reviews that mentioned terms like “loud” and “noisy” to rank them.

Another factor is the average amount of time spent in traffic; according to the survey, people here spend 41 minutes stuck in traffic.

According to the survey, Singapore has a population density of 11,000 persons per square kilometer. However, a brief lookup on SingStat indicates that as of 2023, there are 8,058 people per square kilometer.

 

According to the study, these metrics were derived from sources such as nomadlist.com, numbeo.com and tripadvisor.co.uk.

 

On the other end of the spectrum, the survey ranks Frankfurt, Munich and Amsterdam as the quietest cities.

Only one Asian city has made it onto this list — Kyoto.

 

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Asia Noise News

Asia’s Largest Soundproof Bridge, Constructed in MP’s Seoni with an enormous budget of Rs 960 crore, severely damaged

The largest soundproof bridge in Asia, built on National Highway 44 in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, has sustained significant damage as a result of persistent rain. A private company spent an enormous Rs 960 crores building the bridge. Several reports state that the repair work is presently in progress, which is leading to frequent traffic jams on the highway that links Kashmir and Kanyakumari.

The bridge, which connects Seoni and Nagpur and is close to the Pench Tiger Reserve, was built with 14 wildlife underpasses and light reducers to reduce noise pollution. The bridge is 29 kilometers long and was built at a cost of ₹960 crores by the private company Dilip Buildcon. Five years after construction, the structure started to show signs of damage despite a ten-year guarantee; cracks and broken sections were noticed after intense rains.

The company in charge of building the highway has temporarily stopped traffic while they work on repairs. Given the substantial investment required, the early deterioration raises questions about the bridge’s durability and the engineering’s efficacy.

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Asia Noise News Noise Disturbance

Unidentified loud noise heard by residents in Wayanad, affected by landslides

The locals were alarmed by the disturbing noise, which was especially noticeable in places like Ambalavayal village and Vythiri Taluk.

A mysterious booming sound and underground reverberations were reported in multiple locations on Friday morning, frightening the residents of Kerala’s Wayanad district, who were already traumatized by recent landslides, according to PTI.

The locals were alarmed by the disturbing noise, which was especially noticeable in places like Ambalavayal village and Vythiri Taluk.

Residents in the impacted zones are being moved to safer areas, according to an announcement made by Wayanad District Collector D R Meghashri in response to the reports. To protect the safety of the populace, the district administration is implementing all appropriate safety measures.

Seismic records are being examined as part of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority’s (KSDMA) ongoing investigation to identify the source of the noise. Initial analyses, however, show that there was no unusual seismic activity occurring at the time of the sound.

The incident happened at approximately 10:15 AM, as per a member of the local panchayat. The mystery noise has increased community anxieties, as there has been a history of severe landslides in the area that have claimed 226 lives and left many more missing.

Authorities have proclaimed a holiday for schools in the impacted areas out of caution. Authorities from the state and the local government are still keeping a careful eye on the situation.

with assistance from PTI.

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Asia Noise News

People living 8 km away from a music festival complain about noise

The weekend’s S2O the city of Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival took place at the Central Harborfront.

Eight noise complaints about the weekend’s festival at the Central Harborfront have been reported to Hong Kong environmental authorities, and some residents in Wong Tai Sin and Tsz Wan Shan, eight kilometers away, have complained about loud music disturbing them.

The S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival’s organizers announced on Wednesday that they had hired personnel to measure noise levels at various locations throughout the venue, and that they had “no serious exceedance” noted during the entire event.
A festival representative stated, “During the event, the measurements were reported to the Environmental Protection Department every hour.”

“During and after the event, the organizer maintained close communication with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the police.”

US singer Pauline Herr, Moldovan song producer Andrew Rayel, and South Korean DJ NewJeansNim were among the performers scheduled for the two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday.

DJ NewJeansNim was among the performers at the weekend. Photo: Facebook/S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival

On social media, some residents of the communities across Victoria Harbour in Wong Tai Sin and Tsz Wan Shan claimed to have felt vibrations from loud music on both nights.

Others claimed to have dizziness and ear pain.

“I can still hear the noise even though all the doors are closed,” a Facebook user stated over the weekend. This is absurd.

Another internet user claimed he had to take painkillers because the noise was so loud.

Some other people online questioned the range of sound waves and why the music was only audible to those living in Wong Tai Sin and not to those living throughout the Kowloon peninsula. There are 8 km in a straight line between Central and Wong Tai Sin.

According to the Environmental Protection Department, it kept in touch with the organizers of the various outdoor music events held on the Central Harborfront and “paid close attention to various outdoor music events.”

A representative stated, “The loudspeaker volume has to be adjusted if excessive noise is detected from an event.”

He said there was no noise disturbance discovered during inspections on Saturday and Sunday at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade across the harbor and close to City Hall, respectively.

Although the department promised to investigate the complaints, it was unable to determine if the complainants were from Tsz Wan Shan and Wong Tai Sin.

The department verified that the festival organizer had submitted an application for a temporary license to operate as “places of public entertainment.”

The license requires that the event’s organizers keep an eye on noise levels in areas where people are sensitive to noise, modify the loudspeaker’s direction to avoid nearby residential buildings, and terminate the event before 11 p.m.

Police said they were unable to identify the source of multiple complaints they had received on Sunday night regarding music and noise disturbance.

Low-frequency noise, according to chartered mechanical engineer Lo Kok-keung, can travel eight kilometers. In addition, he mentioned that Wong Tai Sin and Tsz Wan Shan were higher up on the Kowloon peninsula than other areas.

 

References

www.scmp.com

Categories
Asia Noise News

Locals in Tampines complain that noisy chickens keep them awake at night.

The loud hens in a nearby park have been causing some Tampines residents to lose sleep.

According to two locals, the hens at Sun Plaza Park on Tampines Avenue 7 have been crowing early almost every day, keeping the residents’ sleep disturbed, as reported by Shin Min Daily News.

There are roughly eight blocks of HDB apartments near the park, according to a Google Maps search.

The Chinese daily was informed by a disgruntled resident, Chen, 38, that the issue began in December 2022 and that he hears the chickens crowing at around five in the morning.

“I grew up in the neighborhood, and this kind of issue never existed before. I think there are too many wild chickens being produced.”

Another resident, 70 years old, went by the surname Ji, saying the noise from the crowing of the chickens frequently wakes her up at 4.45 a.m. and keeps her awake.


“I’m having trouble sleeping, and it gets worse every day. My granddaughter has to go to school, so I usually get up at six in the morning,” she continued.

Upon visiting the park on Monday afternoon, May 27, a Shin Min reporter observed that numerous chickens were loudly crowing and flying up and down from the trees.

Chen reported that no one has been feeding the birds at the park, and they just appeared out of nowhere.

After voicing several complaints to the Tampines Town Council, he received an email confirming that the council was collaborating with NParks to securely relocate the chickens.

“I believe the authorities have taken action, including relocating the chickens, but it seems to have little effect,” he stated. “I hope the problem gets resolved without harming the chickens.”

AsiaOne has requested a statement from the Tampines Town Council.

Typical view in Tampines
For a long time, Tampines has been home to hens that are allowed to roam freely.

In 2018, the Straits Times reported that a number of locals had voiced concerns regarding the cacophonous clucking of chickens in the garden area situated on Blocks 266 and 267, Tampines Street 21. After that, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority collaborated with the Tampines Town Council to move a few hens.

As per a May 2023 report published by The Straits Times, NParks has received over 600 submissions regarding wild chickens until the time of publication. In 2021, there were 950 reports received by town councils, government agencies, and the Ministry of National Development—more than three times as many as in 2017.

According to The Straits Times, there have also been reports of free-ranging chickens outside of Tampines in places like Pasir Ris, Kembangan, and Bukit Merah.

 

References

www.asiaone.com

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Asia Noise News Noise Technology

AI in Acoustics by Geonoise Asia

Geonoise Asia is ready for Artificial intelligence (AI integration into the field of acoustics to enhance various applications, from noise monitoring to sound quality assessment. Here are some key areas where we as Geonoise Asia use AI to make an impact in acoustics:

1. Noise Monitoring and Management

 Automated Noise Detection:AI algorithms can be used to detect and classify different types of noise in real-time. This is particularly useful in urban environments where continuous monitoring is needed to manage noise pollution.

– **Predictive Analytics:** Machine learning models can predict future noise levels based on historical data, helping city planners and engineers to implement effective noise control measures.

2. Sound Quality Assessment

 Speech Recognition: AI-driven speech recognition systems are used to analyze and transcribe audio data. These systems are becoming more accurate and are used in various applications, including virtual assistants and automated customer service.

 Audio Enhancement: AI algorithms can enhance audio quality by reducing background noise, echo, and other distortions. This is valuable in both consumer electronics and professional audio equipment.

3. Acoustic Material Design

 Optimization of Acoustic Materials:AI can assist in designing and optimizing materials for better acoustic performance. By simulating different materials and structures, AI helps identify the best configurations for sound absorption and insulation.

4. Environmental Acoustics

 Wildlife Monitoring: AI is used to monitor and analyze the sounds of wildlife, helping researchers understand animal behavior and track species. This is particularly useful in remote or difficult-to-access environments.

 Acoustic Remote Sensing: AI helps in processing large amounts of acoustic data collected from remote sensing equipment to map and monitor environmental changes.

5. Architectural Acoustics

 Room Acoustic Modeling: AI can be used to predict and optimize the acoustic properties of spaces, such as concert halls, lecture theaters, and recording studios. AI-driven simulations help in designing spaces with optimal sound quality.

 Sound Localization: AI algorithms can enhance the localization of sound sources within a space, improving sound system designs and hearing aids.

6. Product Development and Testing

 Automated Testing: AI can automate the testing of acoustic devices, such as microphones, speakers, and hearing aids, ensuring consistent quality and performance.

 Feature Extraction: Machine learning models can extract important features from audio signals, such as pitch, loudness, and timbre, aiding in the development of better audio products.

7. Machine Listening and Sound Classification

 Environmental Sound Classification: AI systems can classify a wide range of environmental sounds, from traffic noise to natural sounds, enabling various applications in urban planning, security, and wildlife conservation.

 Music Information Retrieval: AI is used to analyze and retrieve information from music recordings, such as genre classification, beat tracking, and mood detection.

Tools and Technologies

 Deep Learning: Deep neural networks, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), are widely used for tasks such as sound classification and audio enhancement.

 Natural Language Processing (NLP): For applications involving speech recognition and transcription, NLP techniques are essential for processing and understanding spoken language.

 Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Combining AI with DSP techniques allows for more sophisticated analysis and manipulation of audio signals.

Case Studies

Sonar Systems: AI enhances sonar systems used in underwater acoustics, improving object detection and classification in marine environments.

 Hearing Aids: AI-powered hearing aids can adapt to different acoustic environments in real-time, providing users with clearer sound.

Integrating AI into acoustics opens new possibilities for innovation and efficiency in sound-related fields, making it an exciting area of research and development.

Reach out to us for more exciting news.

Geonoise Asia.

Michel Rosmolen

Direct

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Asia Noise News

When the second runway at Hong Kong International Airport opened, there were complaints about aircraft noise. – from the SCMP archive

Yesterday saw the opening of Chek Lap Kok’s second runway, amidst threats of protests from Tsuen Wan locals who say they were not informed about the nearly 80 decibel aircraft noise.


Albert Chan Wai-yip, a member of the Tsuen Wan District Board and convenor of the Aircraft Noise Concern Committee, stated that over 150,000 people, or half of the city’s population, live beneath the second runway’s flight paths.

The District Board estimates that aircraft noise from Chek Lap Kok may affect one million people.

However, Alex Au Kang-yuen, acting director of the Civil Aviation Department, claimed the number was “exaggerated.”

The Aircraft Noise Concern Committee reports that following yesterday’s runway opening, noise levels at Allway Gardens and Belvedere Garden were 78 and 77 decibels, respectively.

Yesterday’s readings from the Civil Aviation Department varied from 60 to 66 dB.

Anything above 85 to 90 dB can temporarily impair hearing, which is the safe noise limit.

On May 26, 1999, a Xiamen Airlines aircraft touches down on the Hong Kong International Airport's new north runway. Image: SCMP

There are currently up to 37 flights per hour, seven days a week, taking place at a maximum of 1,000 meters from some heavily populated areas.

Each runway will be able to accommodate up to 40 aircraft per hour by the end of October, according to a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department.

According to Mr Chan, unrest may result from the disruption of the way of life in the New Territories.

“People can do incredibly unreasonable and crazy things when the economy turns sour and emotions are unstable,” the speaker said.

Depending on the direction of the wind, the group wants aircraft to change their route.

Mr. Chan stated that petitions would soon be submitted to the Civil Aviation Department.

Chen Ying-sung, 71, an Allway Gardens resident, said the police were underreporting noise levels.

He measured the noise pollution on his building’s roof with Mr. Chan yesterday, and the results showed that it reached 78 decibels.

Mr. Chan remarked, “I can’t hear the television when it’s the loudest.” “I’m concerned about the situation once flights [on the second runway] start operating nonstop in August.”

At a press conference on May 27, 1999, Simon Li Tin-chui of the Civil Aviation Department talks about the aircraft noise produced by the two runways at Hong Kong airport. Image: SCMP

According to a spokeswoman, the Civil Aviation Department has met with Tsuen Wan and 12 other district boards on multiple occasions. She stated that residents would not receive any compensation.

The Advisory Council on the Environment’s chairman, Peter Wong Hong-yuen, announced that the group would ask to be briefed with the Civil Aviation Department and the Airport Authority.

“The proposed flight path needs to be examined; even a one-mile difference can have significant effects,” he stated.

At 10.30 a.m. on Dragonair flight KA807 from Shanghai, the first passenger aircraft to land on the new northern runway was made.

References

scmp.com

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