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Approximately 50 million Americans work in open plan offices. Open plan offices are environments in which workers do their job in closely-grouped cubicles. Though these cubicles are more space-efficient and improve the communication between workers, they are an acoustic challenge.
Conventional walls are being replaced by modular workstations, as more workers are using the same working space, and everyone is seated in close proximity to one another. You will also see, though, that modern building methods, along with absorptive actions, and quiet machines, have decreased the ambient level of office noise, reducing the volume considerably.
Sound masking, also known as “white noise”, has been one of the most successful solutions thus far. The sound masking process produces an engineered noise in the background that can be heard throughout the facility. The sound produced by this process is most like the sound of gently blowing air.
Sound masking has many benefits the most significant of which is reduced distractions with conversations and a more relaxed working environment. Sound masking can be easily set up and fits easily into new or existing facilities regardless of size. It provides a very efficient and affordable way to tackle acoustic troubles without having to perform structural modifications.
If you try to run water in your sink while trying to converse with someone in the adjacent room, you will be aware of how sound masking works. You will know that your partner is talking, but it is hard to understand what is being said since the running water in the kitchen has increased the sound in your area.
At this point, we should discuss the definition of a “noise floor”. This term is used by sound engineers to describe the ambient sound level in your environment. If it is too high, you might be annoyed by the “background noise”. Conversely, if it is too low, typical sounds such as people talking in the distance might become a nuisance.
Privacy can be achieved via masking, which establishes a noise level sufficient to hide intrusive noises, but sufficiently low so as not to be bothersome, usually in the range of 42-48 dBA. Thus these systems can successfully drown out irritating sounds while not being disruptive themselves.
It is said that about 50 million Americans do their job in open plan offices, and suffer considerable interruption as a result. Cubicles usually make better use of space and improve communication flow, but they are an acoustic challenge. The main benefit of sound masking includes reduced conversational distractions, and a more relaxed working atmosphere. Thus, privacy can be achieved via masking, which establishes a noise level sufficient to hide intrusive noises, but sufficiently low so as not to be bothersome. Modern buildings with absorptive walls and quiet machines have decreased the ambient level of office noise, reducing interruptions considerably.
- Bruce Davidson