Sound Masking- All Solutions
Individuals who work in hectic offices understand the level to which noise and irrelevant conversations divert their focus. These noisy disturbances raise stress levels, lower efficiency and raise the likelihood of making mistakes. New studies confirm this widespread experience of cubicle and office employees all over the world, and allows employers to stop and think about investing in sound masking technology.
The American Society of Interior Designers released a study recently which demonstrates that office productivity is reduced when noise levels increased. The researchers believe the problem has become worsen by open modern designs in which cubicles replace offices, and electronic noises are commonplace.
Another new study conducted by Cornell University demonstrated that elevated levels of office noise caused increased levels of stress hormones, decreased energy, motivation, and productivity. The research, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, further indicated that the increased stress caused by excessive noise aids the development chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. Besides the cost of decreased productivity, employers may be unknowingly bearing the cost of associated health care.
The modern office worker, typically more specialized than in years past, is also more susceptible to these problems office distractions cause. Imagine the plight of an advertisement or technical writer, who requires a high degree of concentration, seated near the sales agent, who is making phone calls to prospective clients. While the sales agent isn't likely distracted by the writer, the writer may be prevented from producing quality work in the expected time frame.
We're lucky that the same technology that produced the noise problems has also supplied us with economical solutions. Employees who find themselves distracted by noise are able to block the sounds by using ear plugs or small machines that generate white noise.
The better solution for businesses begins with offices properly designed to provide employees needed quiet spaces. For existing offices, the installation of additional sound insulation, or - still better - a complete office sound masking system, can pay for itself with increased productivity, health, and employee retention. With a wide variety of affordable sound masking solutions available, employers no longer have cause to ignore the serious problem of excessive office noise.
New research corroborates this common experience of cubicle and office workers from around the world, and gives employers pause to consider investing in sound masking technology. The results of study conducted by Cornell University has shown that increased levels of office noise causes increase in stress hormones which decreases energy level and motivation of doing work among employees and hence productivity is decreased. The most important thing that is kept in mind during designing offices is to provide employees needed quiet spaces. But for designed or already existing offices, the solution is a masking system that pays back with increased productivity.
Published February 5th, 2009
Filed in Business