Age-Related Hearing Loss and How We Can Design Spaces to Help

I’m only 49 years old, and I’ve noticed an increasing inability to hear conversations in loud restaurants.  In tribes of people that have not been exposed to modern technology, older adults have pretty much the same hearing ability as infants.  Hearing loss is mostly caused by a lifetime of exposure to loud noises in this modern world.  Age-associated hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition among older adults.  Between one third and two thirds of adults 65 years or older have hearing issues. It can be less disabling if building designers use specific knowledge and skill to design spaces that help with this problem.

Hearing loss isn’t just about volume level reduction.  High frequency sounds such as consonants are the first to go while the vowels may still be loud, making speech difficult to understand. It also becomes more difficult to separate sounds and detect where the sound is coming from.  For speech to be understood by the hard of hearing, the volume must be louder and reflected sound and background noise must be reduced.  Additionally, “head noise” or Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss.  People who suffer from hearing loss often become withdrawn or irritable for good reason.  People with hearing loss often rely on lip reading to help them ascertain what’s being discussed, so it’s important to provide good light levels in spaces for older adults.

Noise is simply unwanted sound.  It’s annoying and it’s fatiguing regardless of someone’s age, and more so for an older person.  When space planning, designers should locate noisy activities away from private areas.  Doors that face each other create sound problems, so their placement should be offset.  It’s also best not to place other elements back to back, such as electrical outlets, showers, and medicine cabinets, because sound can travel from space to another.  Good insulation in the walls is also key. 

Sound reverberates when floors, walls, and ceilings are all hard surfaces, and designers should select interior surfaces, materials, and furniture that do not reflect or amplify sound.  A high-quality acoustical ceiling tile is one of the best ways to control sound.  Ceiling fixtures with solid plastic lenses reflect sound.  Using sound absorbent materials on floors, walls, and windows is a great way of improving noise levels.  Carpet alone doesn’t provide enough sound absorption because it’s too low.  Drapery also can’t be relied on solely because drapes would need to be very heavy, like velvet, to do much, and that would block out daylight.  Light fixtures can create unwanted sound reflections, and lights with plastic lenses should be minimized.

Well-insulated walls, and insulation above the walls and sound boots at the HVAC penetrations help prevent sound from traveling between spaces.  A sound absorbent material should be used in the floors to prevent sound traveling between floors.  Eliminating gaps in materials by caulking with acoustical sealant has a dramatic impact.  Doors and windows should be well sealed with gaskets and sound dampening features.  Panic hardware on doors can be loud when used, so selecting a less noisy model is recommended.  Interior windows between spaces can be laminated.  Double or triple-glazed exterior windows is recommended to keep noise out from the outside. Sound cancelling systems that assess the frequency of noise and emit sound waves to cancel it can be used as a last resort for poorly designed facilities that are already built.   

Although all the above are good design practices and should really be implemented for all buildings, they’re especially important when designing buildings and interior spaces for older people.  More than 11 million older people have significantly impaired hearing.  As designers, we have a responsibility to understand the biology of the people for which we are designing spaces.  Building design isn’t only about aesthetics or even life safety.  It’s about improving lives whenever possible.

Learn more at www.statementdesignstudio.com

How Property and Business Owners Can Promote Wellness with Healthy Food

The food and beverages we consume play one of the most significant roles in our health.  The standard American diet (“SAD”) is creating many chronic illnesses and diseases that lead to an early death such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue, and cancer just to name a few.  Most people don’t realize that their health issues or fatigue are perhaps the cause of their diet. 

Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is one of the cornerstones of good health.  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an average consumption of at least 4 servings of fruits and 5 servings of vegetables per day.  To promote consuming fruits and vegetables, property and business owners can offer fruits and vegetables for sale either in an on-site retail store, cafeteria, or healthy restaurant.  Photographs, displays, and messaging promoting fruits and vegetables can encourage people to eat them.  Vending machines with unhealthy food and beverages should not be allowed. 

Many people have food allergies and intolerances, and some don’t even realize it.  Property and business owners can help occupants avoid consumption of potential food allergens.  All foods and beverages sold or provided on the premises should be labeled and indicate if they contain the most common allergens: peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy, milk and dairy products, egg, wheat, tree nuts, artificial substances, and gluten.

Hand washing is one of the most important and effective means of reducing the transmission of pathogens through food.  Responsible for about 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, foodborne illness is a major cause of preventable illness and death.  Using paper towels to dry hands is more effective than air dryers.  Since liquid soap in bulk refillable dispensers is prone to bacterial contamination, utilizing sealed liquid soap cartridges reduced the possibility for bacterial contamination and significantly reduces bacteria on hands whereas contaminated refillable dispensers increase bacteria on hands after handwashing.  Sinks should provide enough room for washing hands without touching sink sides to prevent recontamination.  By simply providing a proper number of sinks and supplies within a space, handwashing can be encouraged. 

It’s important to minimize exposure to food-borne pathogens.  Microorganisms from foods can be transmitted to other products via cutting boards and other surfaces leading to food poisoning.  Foods must be stored in the proper temperature, clearly labeled, and prepared at sufficiently high temperatures. 

Porous surfaces can harbor harmful toxins and chemicals used in non-stick cookware can leach or volatize during use.  Pots, pans, dishware, and other cooking tools should be made entirely of one or more of the following inert materials:

1.      Ceramics, except those containing lead.

2.      Case iron.

3.      Stainless steel.

4.      Glass.

5.      Coasted aluminum,

6.      Solid (non-laminated) wood that is untreated or treated with food-grade mineral or linseed oil.

7.      Bamboo

To reduce overconsumption of too many calories, business owners can provide small meal options and provide smaller than normal plates and bowls in the kitchen area. Alternative foods that don’t contain the common foods that people are allergic or intolerant to (peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy, milk and dairy products, egg, wheat, tree nuts, artificial substances, and gluten) should also be provided.  To reduce exposure to pesticides and hormones in foods, offer organic food with a federally certified organic label.  To encourage people to bring fruits and vegetables to work, provide enough refrigeration space – at least 20L per occupant. To improve access to fresh produce, provide gardening space, a greenhouse, and fruit trees on the property as well as the property tools and resources to grow the plants.

Lastly, to encourage mindful eating behaviors and socialization, provide tables and chairs to accommodate at least 25% of total occupants at a given time, a refrigerator, toaster oven (microwaves emit a huge amount of EMF’s), a sink, amenities for dish washing, cabinet storage, spoons, forks, knives, and plates and cups that are microwave safe if a microwave is provided (no plastic). 

Food and beverage consumption is just one of several crucial factors for wellness.  See our other articles on how property and business owners can provide good quality air, water, light, fitness opportunities, comfort, and promote good mental health.

For a low cost, Statement Design can complete a wellness survey of your property and provide a report on recommended alterations, their priority level, and the estimated cost for each item.  We spend 90% of our time indoors, so the spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. Together, we can elevate human well-being to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. Contact us at www.statementdesignstudio.com or (805) 530-7067.

How Lighting Design and Access to Windows Within A Space Affects our Health and Well-Being

Exposure to adequate levels of sunlight is critical for health and well-being, for physiological, psychological, and neurological reasons.  Proximity to windows, outdoor views (ideally some nature), and daylight is paramount.  Buildings should utilize daylight as a primary source of lighting to the greatest extent possible.  75% of an indoor space that is regularly occupied should ideally be within 25 feet of view windows.  At least 55% of regularly occupied spaces should receive 28 footcandles of daylight for at least 50% of the time the space is occupied during the day. However no more than 10% of the space should receive more than 93 footcandles. Ideal lighting involves proper exposure to diffuse daylight as well as careful design of windows to avoid excessive glare and heat gain.  Balancing energy performance, thermal comfort, and access to quality daylight are essential to proper building design.

In addition to facilitating our vision, light influences us in non-visual ways.  We have internal clocks that synchronize physiological functions on roughly a 24-hour cycled call the circadian rhythm.  Light is the most important cue that keeps our internal clocks synchronized.  Light enters our eyes and hits photoreceptors on the retina which are critical to the circadian system, sending information to various parts of the brain to trigger reactions downstream in the body.  They tell the brain what time of day it is based on the light received and this main clock then synchronizes clocks in the peripheral tissues and organs. Multiple physiological processes – including those relating to alertness, digestion, and sleep – are regulated in part by the hormones involved in this cycle.  Light greatly affects the quality of our sleep.  50 to 70 million American adults have a chronic sleep disorder.  Such disorders and sleep deprivation are associated with diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attaches, hypertension, stroke, and other illnesses.

All light, not just sunlight, affects our internal clock.  Since we spend so much time indoors, artificial lighting has a huge impact on our circadian rhythm.  To maintain our internal clock optimally, we need periods of both brightness and darkness at the right times.  However, our need for adequate light levels to perform activities such as reading, eating, and other tasks must be balanced with the right lighting that keeps our internal clock on time.  Being in bright light during the first part of the day, and lower and lower light levels in the latter part of the day is important.  If that is challenging, there are now lighting products on the market that change intensity and color throughout the day to keep our internal clock synchronized.  It is important to control glare while in bright light to avoid eye discomfort, fatigue and visual impairment.  Glare from windows can be controlled with adjustable window coverings, external shading systems, or other strategies.  To prevent glare from artificial lighting, the lighting should be diffused or indirect.  Staying away from artificial blue-ish light that mimics daylight after the sun sets is key. Certain light bulbs, computer screens, phones, and TV screens emit blue-ish light.  

The light level in a space contributes to the perception of spaciousness and overall appeal of a space.  Task lighting is a good way to provide enough light for tasks without over-illuminating an entire space.  Using adjustable task lighting along with indirect or diffuse general lighting is ideal.  There should not be a huge contrast in brightness levels between rooms and corridors or task surfaces and adjacent surfaces, so that eyes don’t get stressed when moving from room to room.  Brightness levels should be distributed fairly evenly across ceilings to avoid dark spots and glare spots.

Light reflecting off glossy surfaces can also cause indirect glare which is uncomfortable for our eyes.  Its important to position computer screens, desks, reading chairs, and dining or activity tables that are near windows or directly under lights to minimize glare. Light color in addition to brightness level is important. Color impacts the appeal of space and can either contribute or detract from our eye comfort.  Poor color quality can make objects difficult to see correctly.  Foods, skin, and plants may appear dull or non-appetizing. 

Since most light within buildings is reflective, the quality of surfaces important.  Surfaces can either absorb light or reflect it.  To increase overall room brightness, utilizing reflective surfaces that are not too glossy and create glare is best. 

Lastly, outdoor space should be provided so that building occupants can soak up some direct sunlight and vitamin D which is crucial for good health.  Ideally, the outdoor space should be in a nice setting that promotes it’s use.

Lighting design is just one of several crucial factors for wellness.  See our other articles on how property and business owners can provide good quality air, water, nutrition, fitness opportunities, comfort, and promote good mental health.

For a low cost, Statement Design can complete a wellness survey of your property and provide a report on recommended alterations, their priority level, and the estimated cost for each item.  We spend 90% of our time indoors, so the spaces we inhabit have an enormous effect on our lives. Together, we can elevate human well-being to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet, but for people as well. Contact us at www.statementdesignstudio.com or (805) 530-7067.

How Building Design Can Encourage Physical Fitness

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality, causing 6-9% of deaths – three to five million deaths - per year worldwide.  Millions of people fail to achieve the minimum level of activity necessary to help prevent type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.  All healthy adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days per week, and muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week to help maintain good health. 

One of the factors known to impact physical activity levels is the built environment.  Neighborhood walkability, access to and use of mass transit, access to activity facilities near homes and workplaces, stair accessibility in buildings, active furnishings, and many other factors affect physical activity levels. 

The integration of visually appealing interior pathways and stairs within buildings can provide a convenient way to incorporate short periods of physical activity.  To encourage the use of stairs and paths, signage, artwork, music, daylighting, and views to the outside should be incorporated.  Stairs should be located within 25 feet of the main entrance and be clearly visible. 

Property owners can provide on-site fitness programs and facilities within buildings. Spaces with more than 10 regular occupants should provide complimentary access to a dedicated exercise space that is at least 200 square feet per occupant, up to a maximum of 4,000 square feet.  This space should include both cardio and muscle-strengthening fitness equipment as well as space for stretching, yoga, or Pilates.  Creating cyclist and pedestrian-friendly environments around the building can incentivize activity.  

Providing benches, chairs and tables, drinking fountains, and water bottle refilling stations along the building’s walking routes will encourage people to walk. Making the property exterior visually appealing with a water fountain, plaza, garden, green space, a trail network, nice landscaping, public art is important.  Mitigating any noise pollution problems is also key. 

Providing bicycle storage and a tire pump on-site will encourage more people to use a bicycle as transportation instead of a car.  Providing separate and secure bicycle storage for at least 5% of regular building occupants, as well as short-term bicycle storage for at least 2.5% of all visitors is a good rule of thumb.  Showers and lockers must also be provided.  One shower with a changing facility for the first 100 regular building occupants plus one additional shower for every 150 regular occupants, and one locker for every 5 regular building occupants is recommended. 

Most of us spend the majority of our time indoors in a seated position.  Prolonged sitting is associated with a number of adverse health conditions including obesity, cancer, back problems, and fatigue just to name a few.  Sitting more than 3 hours per day is associated with a 2-year lower life expectancy.  Regular exercise doesn’t negate the health consequences of long periods of sitting, so it’s important to create opportunities to reduce it.  Standing desks can be provided, and it’s recommended that everyone within a workspace have an opportunity to work at a standing desk at least part of the day.  This can be accomplished with adjustable height desks, standard desks with a desk-top adjustable height stand, or a combination of standard desks and standing desks that people can move to.  Treadmill desks, bicycle desks, and portable desk pedal machines can also be provided. 

Physical inactivity poses one of the biggest modern threats to public health.  It’s estimated to be responsible for 30% of ischemic heart disease, 27% of type 2 diabetes, and 21-25% of breast and colon cancer cases.  It also increases the odds of having a stroke 20-30% and it shaves years off of lives.  Property owners, architects, and interior designers can make a huge impact on the health and fitness of building occupants.

These are all, of course, just a handful of ways architects and interior designers influence the wellbeing of building occupants.   To learn more, please go to www.statementdesignstudio.com.