An Anechoic Chamber at Nokia Bell Labs Reveals the Hidden Sounds of Your Body

image via New Scientist

October 3, 2025, 10:00 AM

• •The anechoic chamber absorbs 99.999% of sound, creating an environment of extreme quiet.
• •Visitors can perceive their own heartbeats and nervous systems in the quiet space.
• •The chamber allows unique demonstrations of sound absorption and perception.
• •Bell Labs' historical contributions to technology, including digital sound recording, are discussed.
• •The artist-in-residence program explores the intersection of art and scientific research.
• •The space is used for various experiments including psychoacoustics, human-factors research, and art.

In an anechoic chamber at Bell Labs, host Rachel Feltman and artist-in-residence Seth Cluett explore the science of silence and sound perception. The room absorbs nearly all sound, allowing listeners to experience the quietest environment, even hearing their own nervous systems. Cluett demonstrates how the chamber affects sound by singing and manipulating distances to showcase sound absorption. The conversation delves into the technologies created at Bell Labs and the artist's perspective on how this space impacts our interaction with technology and the world.

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