Here are some helpful tips to maintain a quiet home:
Keep TV, video games, and music at a low volume.
Use the lowest volume that allows you to still hear clearly. If someone in the room has trouble hearing, try turning on the TV captioning or subtitles rather than turning up the volume.
Create ways to reduce the noise of chores.
Close the door between your kids and any appliances in use, such as the vacuum cleaner or equipment in a workshop or laundry room.
Buy quiet toys.
Choose toys with volume controls, and use only the lowest volume setting.
Ask about noise ratings when buying appliances.
When buying certain appliances, such as a fan, range hood, or dishwasher, ask about its noise rating. Some ratings are given in “sones.” The lower the sone number, the quieter the unit.
Limit the number of noises going on at one time.
Try to use just one noisy item at a time, such as the TV, hair dryer, vacuum, or power tools.
Keep outdoor noises out.
Close windows and doors when you hear outdoor sounds like leaf blowers, lawn mowers, power tools, and sirens.
Use soft furnishings to soften noise indoors.
Add cushions, curtains, and wall coverings to absorb noise. Placing carpets and area rugs (the thicker the better) over hard flooring can help reduce the noise, too.
Put earplugs or earmuffs where they are most likely to be needed.
Store them near a lawn mower, tractor, or all-terrain vehicle and in a woodworking shop and garage.
Put red stickers on objects that can reach unsafe sound levels.
Remind your family members that a sticker means that they should use hearing protectors or limit the time that they are around these objects.