As a sector, Noise and Vibration Control covers a broad range of issues related to the monitoring and control of the effects of sound and vibration. These range from environmental noise and noise nuisance to building acoustics, occupational noise and vibration and noise and vibration engineering. Noise pollution is regulated by Defra's Noise and Nuisance Policy Team, which is responsible for developing governmental policy on neighbourhood noise and ambient noise, as well as managing noise research and implementing EU noise legislation.

Within the sector Bristol has contributed to the development of a methodology for improving the control of surface transport noise by being involved in the EU funded SILENCE Project and hosts a range of multi-disciplinary and specialist consultancies who deal with NVC issues.

Noise pollution can be abated in the following ways: engineering modifications that alter the process of noise generation; vibration isolation (a vibration "break" to prevent the transmission of mechanical energy); vibration damping (which extracts and dissipates the energy in vibrating surfaces); the use of silencers, enclosures or barriers. Commercial noise control specialists typically offer various types of enclosures, attenuators, doors, louvers and panels to help organisations to deal with noise pollution.

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