An acoustics professor, a food critic and an audio producer are staring at their devices in a Peruvian restaurant in downtown Washington. “What are you getting?” “Let’s see … it’s fluctuating.” “I ...

As streets burst into light and laughter this Diwali, an often-ignored hazard rises in the background, noise pollution. From the thundering booms of fireworks to blaring loudspeakers, the festival of ...