Visitors to the anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis encounter an experience unlike any other. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the quietest room on Earth, this chamber has an astonishing sound level of –24.9 decibels. The extreme silence, however, proves to be more disorienting than restorative for most individuals, with no one able to withstand the stillness for longer than 45 minutes.
Stepping into the chamber, people quickly discover that silence is not merely the absence of sound; it transforms into an unsettling experience. According to Steven Orfield, the founder of Orfield Laboratories, “When it’s quiet, ears will adapt. The quieter the room, the more things you hear.” Visitors often report being acutely aware of their own heartbeat and the sounds of blood circulating through their bodies. This heightened awareness can lead to feelings of disorientation as the brain struggles to navigate without external auditory cues. As Orfield elaborated in an interview with CBS, “How you orient yourself is through sounds you hear when you walk. In the anechoic chamber, you don’t have any cues.”
The disorienting effects of the chamber often prompt visitors to seek support after approximately half an hour, as their balance begins to falter. Despite the allure of tranquility, the chamber challenges even the most resilient individuals.
NASA and Microsoft Embrace the Silence
This unique chamber is not just a curiosity but serves practical purposes as well. NASA utilizes the facility to help astronauts acclimate to the sensory deprivation they might experience in space. Similarly, Microsoft has developed its own anechoic chamber in Redmond, previously holding the title for the quietest place on Earth. This chamber, designed with multiple layers to block outside noise, allows individuals to stay for around 55 minutes before the silence becomes overwhelming.
Hundraj Gopal, a senior engineer at Microsoft, noted that our ears are constantly under pressure from everyday sounds. Entering an anechoic room alleviates that pressure, creating a sensation akin to being suspended in a sensory void.
The Intimacy of Silence
Philosophers have long suggested that silence is not truly empty, and in these chambers, that concept becomes literal. Visitors often experience an unprecedented awareness of their internal bodily functions, a level of intimacy that many do not seek. For those looking to explore the depths of silence, Orfield Labs offers “private sessions of silence.”
For those who have found traditional meditation apps ineffective, this experience might serve as a transformative upgrade. Yet, prospective visitors should be prepared for the challenge, as lasting an hour in this extreme quiet remains a formidable task.
As silence takes on new meaning within the walls of the world’s quietest room, Orfield Laboratories continues to draw attention for its intriguing blend of science, psychology, and human experience. The chamber stands as a reminder of the complexities of sound and silence, inviting individuals to confront their own perceptions within a uniquely disorienting environment.
