I’m not sure how your life goes, but from where I stand things can get really noisy, really fast. I’m talking about loud arguments, kid clamor, workplace cacophony and all that kind of stuff. Like Jeff Goldblum said, “oooh, ahhh, that’s how it always starts. Then later there’s running and screaming”. Sometimes I feel like an extra in Jurassic Park. But now there’s an app which can hopefully help me restore a little calm in my life. Maybe.

Noise Down is a free iPhone app that lets you set the limit for loudness in your space. You can set an alarm for noise over a certain decibel and you can even have multiple alarms in place. So, for example, if you’re home and you think your neighbor’s music is just a bit too much, here’s proof of what’s coming through your walls. Set an alarm so you know when it reaches “way too loud” so you can call the cops for a noise disturbance. Or you can use it to just keep your kids from screaming in your living room.

Over time the people around you will learn what an acceptable level is, and hopefully won’t scream, holler, bellow and generally assault your delicate ears and constitution. And it should even help you see when you’re just overacting to sound. Noise Down is available for free through the App Store.