Half of Hungarians experience noise-related symptoms, according to a new Ipsos survey

Island of tranquility – or not? 

Most of us would run away from the thousands of sources of stress that come our way every day, into a cave – or at least into the peace of our homes. According to environmental psychology, this is no coincidence: humans have evolved to seek out protected, quiet places, where the amount of external stimuli is reduced and the nervous system can truly regenerate. For many, home is not only a living space, but also a place to retreat from the noise of the world, a kind of “mental refuge” – especially if at least there we are greeted by silence.  

According to the results of a recent Wavin research1, however, the vast majority of Hungarians are hindered by disturbing noises in their regeneration: most of them – more than half of the respondents – “climb the “to the ceiling”, this is especially true for those living in panel or apartment buildings, where this proportion reaches 70 percent. Road traffic bothers every third Hungarian, followed by the loudness of roommates and coworkers. Half of the respondents are specifically bothered by noises originating from the operation of buildings: household appliances, heating and cooling, and water flowing in pipes. data-contrast=”none”>Chronic stress and constant state of readiness 

According to research,long-term, uncontrollable noise exposure acts as a chronic stress factor: activates the autonomic nervous system, increases the level of stress hormones, and can inhibit regeneration processes in the long term¹². The human brain is particularly sensitive to monotonous, uncontrollable sounds – such as mechanical noises or the hum of pipes – which can keep the body in a constant state of alert. Research by Wavin, a supplier of sustainable, healthy building engineering solutions, also revealed that half of Hungarians experience symptoms resulting from noise pollution at home: 27 percent of respondents reported sleep disturbances, stress, and restlessness, 13 percent reported fatigue, and 6 percent reported headaches. complained.  

It’s hard to “replace” a neighbor – not everything is taken! 

The most disturbing noise sources are not always easy to eliminate – for example, it is difficult to “replace” or “educate” a neighbor. However, according to the respondents, much can be improved with technical solutions: based on the research, nearly half of those surveyed would reduce noise with quieter household appliances, 40 percent would change the heating and cooling system, while about 30 percent would reduce water leakage from pipe systems. Building engineering solutions such as surface cooling and heating systems, which operate much quieter than traditional air conditioning systems, or noise-damped drainage systems, can help in this regard – thus creating a calmer home environment that is more suitable for regeneration. 

Silence as a trend 

According to a recent survey, 39 percent of Hungarians are willing to invest in making their homes quieter, while 32 percent do not believe that noise can be effectively reduced. Only 29 percent of respondents are not bothered by environmental sounds.  

According to Géza Rimanóczy, Managing Director of Wavin Hungarydesigners are already consciously choosing quieter solutions, in addition to the sound effects of water blocks, builders increasingly expect the reduction of the noise of water flowing from the roof. These aspects now significantly influence the investment decisions of households:peace at homeis not just a matter of comfort, but also part of everyday well-being, whichpowerfully shapes market trends.