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The sound of silence in the city - 18th September 2020

Scientists have invented a quiet window. The new technology will help people who live in busy cities.

24 small speakers are placed across an open window. They work like headphones which cancel out noise. They cover the window with a sound screen.

The speakers play a sound which cancels out some noise. The noise inside is 10 decibels lower. Light and air can still enter the open window.

Professor Gan Woon Seng is a sound specialist. He says only some sound can be stopped.

Professor: "OK, also, with the cacophonies of all this urban noise, we are not going to cancel all sorts of noise. Instead, we have a targeted approach. We are basically going after the low frequency noise coming from the traffic and the train noise."

The World Health Organisation reports that noise makes many health issues worse. These include heart disease, hearing problems and high blood pressure. Scientists hope these windows will improve people’s health.