Buzz
Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is known for what it lacks. Inside its anechoic chamber, you won't hear the typical noise of traffic, conversations, or even household appliances. This soundproof room is one of the most silent locations on Earth, and you can explore it through a virtual tour in the video below.
As reported by UPROXX, Orfield Laboratories is mainly used for research purposes. The background noise inside the chamber measures at -9.4 dBA. To put that into perspective, the quietest place the average person encounters typically has sound levels around 30 dBA. With no external noise to interfere, testing products for noise levels within the chamber yields highly precise results. The chamber serves other purposes as well, including preparing astronauts for space missions and startling tourists who are willing to pay for a visit.
Experiencing sound levels lower than those found in nature has strange effects on the human body. Your ears begin to pick up sounds that are normally inaudible. With nothing else to fill the silence, you may hear your heartbeat, stomach growl, and even the sound of your lungs working. Dizziness, anxiety, and out-of-body experiences are just a few of the reactions people have reported after spending time in the eerily silent chamber.
While you won't be able to experience the full effect from home, you can put on a pair of headphones to get a sense of what the room is like through this video. The lab is currently closed to the public, but when it reopens, it offers tours starting at $125 per person.
