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- Learn how buildings and the environment affect sound
- Help design environments to manage noise and vibrations
- Be an expert in a fascinating field of science and engineering
Acoustics consultants help manage and control noise and vibrations in homes, workplaces and other environments. For example, you could conduct noise surveys and acoustic design advice for buildings and rooms, or be involved with the uses of ultrasound in medicine or in non-destructive testing of structures.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Carry out noise assessments on buildings to make sure they meet building regulations
- Check noise levels are within legal limits
- Test how changes to a building's design affects sound levels and quality
- Use computers to find ways of reducing machinery noise and vibration in the workplace
- Give specialist advice in legal cases
- Explore how sound vibrations affect machinery and structure
- Design and work with recording studio and broadcast sound equipment
- Design medical equipment, like ultrasound, to help doctors diagnose and treat patients producing reports
- Share your findings and making recommendations for action
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in an office, at a client's business or in a laboratory. You may need to wear protective clothing. Depending upon the precise work that you do, you might work Monday to Friday office hours, or on a shift system.
You'll need
You'll usually need a degree in a relevant subject like acoustics, maths, physics, or engineering and this means choosing relevant A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) like maths and/or physics.
If you have a degree in environmental science or music technology, you could study for an additional qualification in acoustics like the Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control, offered by the Institute of Acoustics to give you the skills needed by the industry.
You could also start by doing an acoustics technician higher apprenticeship, then take further training to become an engineering consultant.
You could start work as an assistant or trainee technician and, with further training, qualify as an engineer or consultant.
Employers may also consider alternative qualifications or relevant work experience, like non-destructive testing. The Institute of Acoustics (IOA) has more information about relevant degrees, postgraduate courses and professional qualifications.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience and further training, you could gain chartered status with the IOA. You could then progress to senior acoustics engineer. You could also become a project leader, managing the design and development of new projects. Or you could specialise in a particular area, like architectural, medical or underwater acoustics technology.