Regain Collaboration with a Sound Masking System for Office

April 25, 2024 Lelch

Regain Collaboration with a Sound Masking System for Office

Create a Comfortable and Engaging Environment

As companies began replacing cubicles with open-office floor plans, you could almost hear the cheers. Camaraderie, collaboration, and engagement became the goal, a workforce focused on productive outcomes uniting together.

Unfortunately, and all too quickly, the cheers gave way to silence, and studies revealed less collaboration and more isolation. Today, the trend leans toward inclusive design, taking into account the many different people in an organization and their preferences.

One of the biggest complaints in an open office is the sound design. In an open-plan office structure, people hold back from talking to each other, concerned about disturbing their neighbors or not wanting others to overhear a private conversation.

And that’s where the sound masking system for offices comes in. Let’s explore these systems and how they bring collaboration and productivity back into business.

What Is the Challenge?

In addition to the open floor plan, today’s office design focuses on more reflective surfaces and less absorbing materials. Rugs and material partitions have given way to metal and glass. These materials contribute to reflections and unwanted noise.

What Is Sound Masking?

Sound masking uses ambient noise tuned to a specific frequency that matches human speech. While it doesn’t interfere with face-to-face conversations, it does mask conversations several feet away. This low-level background noise makes the room seem quieter, making private conversations more difficult to overhear. It drowns out the distracting voices and noises, creating a more peaceful environment.

Another challenge is that of a quiet office. In this case, the space is so silent that it feels uncomfortable for some of your staff. The faintest noise distracts them, taking their attention away from their task. Fortunately, a sound masking system also addresses this issue, generating an airflow-like sound that allows employees to concentrate on their work.

Where Does the Sound Come From?

The ambient noise comes from carefully crafted loudspeakers strategically placed in a grid-like pattern into the ceiling. When carefully calibrated, these speakers provide a consistent sound dynamic.

Other technology in a sound masking system include the noise generator, which produces random electrical signals, and the equalizer, which converts these signals into the sound masking frequency. An amplifier increases the signals, and zone controllers manage the transmissions in different areas.

Privacy in an Open Office

Acoustic privacy is critical in creating more satisfied staff and helping them stay focused. A study at the University of Sydney revealed the three main pain points for workers in open offices. Almost 70% said the lack of speech privacy was their biggest concern.

At Leach Audio Video, our sound masking experts design and install systems that create the optimal acoustic environment, shaping the sound masking sound to match the noise in your office. Each system is customized, unique to your specific environment and the issues facing it.

To learn more about a sound masking system or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Lelch Audio Video today.

Regain Collaboration with a Sound Masking System for Office