For those of us who work in open office environments it can be hard to concentrate on our work when constantly hearing background conversation. Even in closed offices, noise can leak through walls, doors and even the ceiling grid if walls between offices do not go to deck. While also being able to overhear others, this means that others may also be able to overhear your conversations, which can be bad if you often have conversations about sensitive work information.
Although it can be hard to fully soundproof an office, especially on a budget, there are some options such as sound masking systems that can help improve speech privacy in an office space.
Learn More: Best Uses for White Noise Machines
Noise Masking – How Does it Work?
Noise masking, also known as sound masking, is a special type of either white noise or pink noise that many people use in their homes and offices. You may be most familiar with white noise machines or general sound machines that people use while they sleep or work.
White noise machines work to raise the ambient background noise level within a space. With a higher background noise level, you may not be able to hear distracting background noises that were previously louder than the ambient noise level.
Contrary to what some people believe, sound masking is not some sort of noise cancellation system that “vacuums” up noise. In reality, sound masking systems add more noise to a space.
Desktop Sound Masking
In most large, open office spaces you can expect there to be an existing sound masking system, however it may not be in the budget for some companies. If this is the case for your office, or if you work in a home office, there are some desktop sound masking machines that you can use.
People mainly use individual sound masking units on their bedside table when they sleep, but you can use them in an office as well. If your biggest noise issue is being able to overhear a lot of distracting background conversations, place the sound masking machine closer to your desk, or even just on your desk. If you have it too close to you and turned up loud, the white noise can be more annoying than helpful. Luckily, most white noise machines are adjustable with the tone of the white noise and the volume, so you can adjust it however you’d like.
Does Sound Masking Prevent Eavesdropping?
Those who work in executive offices tend to have private conversations, whether it concerns legal matters, personal information, or someone’s employment status, it can be a problem if these conversations are overheard. These conversations and others containing sensitive information can be common at banks, lawyer’s offices and many others.
If your biggest noise concern is other people eavesdropping on your sensitive work conversations, you should also use a white noise machine. However, if this is the case, you should place your white noise machine either in the center of your office or close to the door – it really depends on if you’re more worried about office neighbors hearing your conversations or people out in the hallway overhearing you.
In this way, white noise machines are good to prevent coworkers intentionally or unintentionally eavesdropping on your private work conversations.
Masking Machine for Home
No one chooses to live in a noisy house, although it would be nice if others were quiet while you sleep, but some noises can’t be avoided, such as sleeping with a snorer, living on a busy road, or living next to noisy neighbors.
As we mentioned above, sound masking machines can also be used form home whether you need it in your home office, or if it helps you to sleep. Sleeping can be tough if you sleep with a snorer or you have people who stay up later than you, making noise while you try to sleep. Just like sound masking can help you avoid distractions in an office, it helps to mask disturbing noises while you sleep.
Top Desktop Sound Masking Machines – Using White Noise to Avoid Eavesdropping and Other Disturbances
A desktop sound masking unit is the best way to noise proof your office from your nosy coworkers, without breaking the bank or doing any construction in the space. If you do work in a large office space that you think would have the budget or the need for a commercial white noise system, get in touch with our sister company Commercial Acoustics for more information.
