Introduction

Everyone needs privacy. However, when it comes to the modern office the problem can be addressed with AV Technology. Noise, especially speech, is the most disruptive factor in open spaces, significantly reducing task performance, research shows.

Cost-saving open workspaces often lead to excessive noise distractions, reducing productivity. Studies and various researches have clearly stated that noise is the number one contributor to lack of productivity in workplaces. It is difficult, but it is not impossible to pay attention to details while distracting noises are prevalent.

To reduce real estate costs and wasted space, many companies adopt open office environments. This increases employee interaction, upper management frequently abandons private office spaces to join open office plans. This increases team projects and emphasis on collaboration requires more group work and shared working spaces. Facility managers, HR, admins, and tech teams recognize noise issues but often lack awareness of cost-effective solutions.

Sound Masking

The solution is called “Sound Masking” and this is the most effective solution to any company’s noise distraction problem. It helps protect speech by being tuned to the same frequency as human speech. Sound masking is the addition of sound created by special digital generators and distributed by normally unseen speakers through an area to reduce distractions or provide confidentiality where needed. Sound masking is generally used in modern open office areas to prevent speech privacy. The sound provided is broad and random that conveys no information about itself to a listener. 

Basically, it can be used anywhere where speech privacy or speech confidentiality is desired or required and in any workplace to reduce distractions and improve productivity. Basically, it is used in many areas such as open office plans, private offices, and public spaces. While it may sound counter-intuitive to add sound to the environment to make it quieter, that’s exactly what happens. In effect, the introduced masking sound is specifically tuned to the frequencies of human speech to cover up the excess speech noise and make the acoustical environment more comfortable.

It does not cancel speech; it simply shortens the distance from which a talker can be overheard. Most office environments allow speech to travel approx. 100 feet. With sound masking the distance is cut closer to 50feet, and overheard speech is less intelligible than it would normally be. This means that an employee can still hear that a conversation is occurring but they are not able to understand exactly what’s being said. In short, conversation is easier to ignore and is less distracting.

Sound masking is all about uniformity. It is more pleasant-sounding and usually barely noticeable, similar to the sound of airflow through a vent. Different manufacturers engineer masking sounds in various ways, but they all target a sound quality and decibel level that masks the intelligibility of the human voice. For proper installation of a sound masking system, the ideal spectrum must be established and then amplified to the right level. Once that step is complete, the technology integrator must ensure that level remains consistent throughout the office.

If the sound masking is too quiet it won’t be effective, and if it’s too loud it will be a distraction itself. The proper level for sound masking is no louder than about 48 decibels (dBA). In comparison, an office conversation between two people next to each other is about 60 dBA. The ratio of voices to the masking noise ensures that sound masking will not affect the intelligibility of two people talking to each other, but will reduce the ability of someone else to overhear the conversation.

Proper Zoning is also important for an office space to create an ideal sound masking level. The system must adapt to room size, ceiling height, furnishings, and acoustics to maintain a consistent sound field. The system is divided into zones, grouping similar acoustics for precise tuning in each environment.

Sound masking benefits offices, healthcare, education, call centers, and financial institutions by reducing noise distractions and ensuring privacy. Educational spaces like computer centers, testing rooms, and libraries benefit from sound masking by reducing noise distractions for students. Call centers benefit from it by improving call clarity for employees and ensuring customer information remains private.

Financial institutions use sound masking to protect sensitive data and ensure customer privacy by reducing overheard conversations. Healthcare facilities use it to protect patient confidentiality and promote restful recovery by reducing noise distractions.

Conclusion

Each sound masking system on the market has its plusses and minuses; it depends upon the integrator and the end-user to determine the system that works best for them. The one thing all the systems have in common is they require professional installation from an experienced professional.