Editor’s Message- Looking Back on 7 Years with NNI

By Eoin A. King Ph.D.

As I sit down to write this, my final column as managing editor, I can’t help but look back on the incredible journey I’ve had over the past seven years at Noise/News International (NNI). It’s been an amazing ride. Now, as I prepare to hand over the reins, I feel a mix of pride in how far NNI has come, excitement for what’s next, and gratitude for everyone who’s been part of this journey with me.

In these past seven years, I’ve read more articles about noise control than I ever thought possible! And I’ve realized that noise control has become a crucial part of health, safety, and improving our quality of life. There’s been a huge rise in awareness about how noise pollution impacts everything from worker productivity to mental health, and it’s been inspiring to watch our industry step up to tackle these challenges.

At NNI, we’ve covered some really exciting advancements in materials science and technology that have the potential to completely change how we handle noise mitigation. Of course, with growth comes new challenges. One of the biggest hurdles ahead is figuring out how to manage noise in a world that’s getting more tech-heavy and crowded. How do we design quieter cities when we’re adding more machines, drones, and other novel noise sources to the mix? It’s something we’re all going to have to wrestle with in the years to come.

Another area I’ve been really interested in is how noise control and sustainability intersect. We’re not just talking about reducing decibels anymore – it’s about making smart, eco-friendly decisions that take the environment into account. It’s a shift in thinking that I believe will play a big part in the future of noise control.

At NNI, we’ve always done our best to bring you the latest and most relevant news in noise control, and the publication wouldn’t exist without the noise control community –the contributors, the experts, and the readers – so I want to say a huge thank you to all of you. Over the last seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds in the field, and I’m incredibly grateful for that experience.

To our readers, contributors, and advertisers, thank you for making this journey so rewarding. Though I’m stepping down, I’m leaving with full confidence that NNI is in great hands and will continue to grow from strength to strength. The future looks bright, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

I wish you all continued success in making our world a quieter, more peaceful place.