Aged Care Acoustic Panels – Glengara

The Challenge

Glengara Care, located on the NSW Central Coast, is part of the RetireAustralia community and provides residential aged care services designed to support comfort, wellbeing, and social connection. Like many aged care and retirement facilities, the communal areas were designed with large open layouts and durable surfaces. While visually appealing and easy to maintain, these environments often create significant acoustic challenges.

The main issues included:

– Excessive echo and reverberation caused by hard surfaces such as ceilings, walls, and flooring
– Poor speech intelligibility in communal spaces where residents gather for meals and activities
– Increased background noise levels during busy periods
– Difficulty for residents using hearing aids, where amplified background noise made conversations harder to understand

Acoustic testing conducted before the upgrade revealed that the average reverberation time was 1.59 seconds, significantly higher than recommended levels for comfortable speech environments. For aged care settings, reverberation times ideally sit below 0.8 seconds to ensure conversations remain clear and comfortable. The excessive reverberation meant that sound continued to bounce around the room long after it was produced, creating a noisy and fatiguing environment.

For an aged lifestyle facility designed around connection and comfort, poor acoustics were a major barrier to wellbeing. Management recognised that they needed a professional noise control solution that would improve comfort while preserving the vibrancy of the space.

The Solution

To address these acoustic challenges, the SoundFix team designed a targeted acoustic treatment strategy using high-performance acoustic ceiling panels.

The acoustic design aimed to:

– Reduce reverberation time across key speech frequencies
– Improve speech intelligibility for residents and staff
– Lower overall noise levels during group activities
– Maintain the aesthetic of the space
– Provide a long-term acoustic solution suitable for aged care environments

The selected acoustic panels were engineered to absorb sound energy rather than reflect it, preventing sound waves from continuously bouncing between hard surfaces.

Special attention was given to the mid-frequency range (500 Hz – 2 kHz) where human speech occurs, ensuring conversations would become significantly clearer.

The Installation

Installing acoustic solutions in an aged facility requires special consideration. Work needed to be efficient, safe, and minimally disruptive to residents’ daily routines. The installation involved strategically placing acoustic ceiling panels throughout the communal area to maximise sound absorption without disrupting the architectural design.

Because acoustic panels are lightweight and modular, the installation process was completed efficiently while maintaining the daily operations of the facility. As people age, hearing sensitivity declines and background noise becomes more difficult to filter out.

The Glengara Care project demonstrates how targeted acoustic treatment can transform communal spaces within retirement and aged care facilities.

Through careful acoustic design and professional installation, SoundFix was able to turn a noisy environment into a calm, comfortable space where conversations can be heard clearly.

The Outcome

The results were immediate and measurable. Following installation, acoustic testing confirmed a 52% reduction in reverberation time, bringing the space much closer to recommended acoustic standards for speech environments. Residents and staff experienced noticeable improvements including:

– Clearer conversations during meals and activities
– Lower background noise levels
– Reduced listening fatigue
– More comfortable communal spaces
– Improved communication between residents and staff

In aged care environments, these improvements go far beyond comfort. Clear communication helps residents remain socially connected, reduces frustration for those with hearing challenges, and supports a calmer and more inclusive living environment.

📞 Contact SoundFix Acoustics today to arrange a free consultation.

Before-and-After Acoustic Results

Before installation:
The lounge recorded an average reverberation time (RT60) of 1.59 seconds, which made group activities and casual conversations challenging.

After installation:

• 500 Hz: 1.76 ➝ 0.76

• 1K Hz: 1.44 ➝ 0.78

• 2K Hz: 1.21 ➝ 0.84

The reverberation time dropped to 0.77 seconds—a 52% reduction. Sound now decays almost twice as fast, allowing residents to hear and be heard without strain. If your aged care facility, retirement village, or community centre struggles with echo and noise, our team can help.

Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can help transform your space.

Contact SoundFix today for professional advice and expert installation.