Sound absorbing materials reduce the noise in a room by absorbing the energy of the sound and converting it into heat. (e.g. walls, floors, ceilings, furniture,...)
Sound insulation refers to preventing the transmission of noises between two spaces.
The damping of vibrations of thin-walled flat surfaces (steel, plastic, etc.), so that these produce less sound.
Machines, buildings, walls, floors,… are separated from the rest of the construction by means of vibration damping materials.