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Office Sound Masking Encourages Productivity By Reducing Distractions

by Bruce Davidson

If you work in an office, then you are aware of how hard it can be to do your job when noise becomes an issue. Most office workers are in cubicles with co-workers on either side of them, behind them and surrounding them. The job becomes even more difficult when it is a busy office with several employees making or taking phone calls all around you.

There have been many offices looking into office sound masking techniques to ensure office privacy and reduce the effects of a noisy office on their employees. Office sound masking creates a better work environment for the employee, while creating more productive workers for the office.

Soothing background noise, also known as 'white noise', is created from distracting office noises by the methods of office sound masking. The conversations of your coworkers will be quieted to a dull hum or buzz as you concentrate on your work.

A sound which is somewhat like an air conditioner is set to run as background noise. It is designed not to be disturbing or overwhelming. This background noise creates an environment which is conducive to better concentration on the part of the worker.

Studies have shown that while we all deal with background noise, the most interfering noise is that of human speech, if we can understand what someone around us is saying it will deter us from concentrating on our own speech, causing disturbance in ability to stay focused.

Unobtrusive office sound masking muffles your coworker's voices as well as other unwanted noises. Instead of fighting distraction, you can concentrate on your important work at hand as your coworker's cacophony is quieted to a dull buzz.

Many businesses have begun to use these techniques in an effort to protect the privacy of conversations between clients and employees, such as conversations that include financial information or credit card and account numbers. An added benefit is that these techniques lend themselves to more productive and less stressed employees, resulting in a happier staff and more income for the company.

If you are employed in a crowded office, you would be well and truly aware of the distractions to your job due to excessive noise. Office sound masking techniques are being looked into by a greater number of offices lately, in hopes of increasing office privacy and decreasing the effects that a noisy office has on employees. If you pay attention, and listen to the sound, it resembles the slight rumble of an air conditioner. The level is set to cover extraneous noise without dominating the sound environment. Ultimately, this will result in happier and more productive workers.

Published July 8th, 2008

Filed in Business