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Dealing with Noise in an Individual Office

July 26, 2011 By
Sound Masking for Individual Offices, Cubicles or Home Offices

So often we talk about office sound masking {ahem, a clever way of living up to our name}, which usually involves treating an open office area with a sound masking system like the VoiceArrest Sound Masking System.  While a highly effective and inexpensive solution to larger noise problems, this kind of system is a bit of overkill for an individual office.  In the case of a single office that also suffers from the woes of noisy co-workers and the general office buzz, a sound machine would be a better route to go.  But, which sound machine?  Certainly not a sleep aide, and isn’t that what most sound machines do?

Actually, there are many sound machines that simply provide white noise to help the brain not focus on unwanted noise.  This white noise can be applied towards getting a better night of sleep, but it can also provide an almost entirely distraction-free work space so the brain can focus on tasks instead of errant bits of conversation.  Below are two of the bast sound machines on the market for a single office.

  • Sonet Personal White Noise System

If you need comfortable, reliable business-grade privacy, try the Sonet Personal White Noise System.  More than a simple sleep aid, the Sonet takes the same highly-quality, targeted spectrum sound used in our enterprise VoiceArrest system, but in a form that works for an individual office or cubicle.  This is the best solution for those in a single cubicle who don’t have the budgetary authority to provide better privacy for an entire department, floor or building.  The Sonet targets the specific area of speech that is most effective in rendering speech unintelligible, while also helping to cover hundreds of other miscellaneous noises so common in an open environment floor plan.  Plus, this individual masking unit does not require any specialized knowledge or training to install.

  • Privacy Guard

Another option is the Privacy Guard. With three integrated high-fidelity speakers and highly customizable sound that adapts to the sound conditions around you, this is perfect for those in a single enclosed office or a home office (versus a cubicle).  The Privacy Guard comes with a selection of 10 extremely high quality sound recordings of nature that are up to 30 minutes or more in length.  Each recording includes a wide range of complimentary nature sounds that are mixed into the foundational sound track in order to add richness and depth.  The result is a natural environment even more conducive to concentration, sleep, or a more soothing sound environment in general at home.

If noise is proving to be a productivity-killer in your single office, try sound masking for individual offices.


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Sound Masking for a Single Office

June 7, 2011 By

Moving from distracted to focused

Recent studies have shown that the average worker is distracted more than 2 hours every day.  The culprits range from machinery noise to interruptions to co-worker chatter and more.  However, by far the most reported problem at work is conversational distraction, which includes chats workers may or may not care to be part of but can’t seem to ignore.  The unfortunate result is two-fold: 1) distracted workers are unproductive workers and 2) distracted workers are disengaged workers.  Both unproductive and disengaged workers are not only unhappy and stressed, but they also cost companies billions of dollars annually due to errors, work just not getting done, and employee absenteeism and turn-over costs.

Many workers have tried to solve the distraction problem themselves by tuning out noise with headphones.  Sadly, this is not a great solution for workers who make and answer calls, and it also can serve as just as big a distraction itself.  On the other hand, Speech Privacy Systems offers two tiers of sound masking solutions for workers:

Personal Noise Systems

Sonet Personal White Noise System

If you need comfortable, reliable business-grade privacy, try the Sonet Personal White Noise System.  More than a simple sleep aid, the Sonet takes the same highly-quality, targeted spectrum sound used in our enterprise VoiceArrest system, but in a form that works for an individual office or cubicle.  This is the best solution for those in a single cubicle who don’t have the budgetary authority to provide better privacy for an entire department, floor or building.  The Sonet targets the specific area of speech that is most effective in rendering speech unintelligible, while also helping to cover hundreds of other miscellaneous noises so common in an open environment floor plan.  Plus, this individual masking unit does not require any specialized knowledge or training to install.

Privacy Guard

Another option is the Privacy Guard. With three integrated high-fidelity speakers and highly customizable sound that adapts to the sound conditions around you, this is perfect for those in a single enclosed office or a home office (versus a cubicle).  The Privacy Guard comes with a selection of 10 extremely high quality sound recordings of nature that are up to 30 minutes or more in length.  Each recording includes a wide range of complimentary nature sounds that are mixed into the foundational sound track in order to add richness and depth.  The result is a natural environment even more conducive to concentration, sleep, or a more soothing sound environment in general at home.

If office noise is a problem for your workers {and chances are it is}, try a single-office sound masking system to cover the noise.  Make sure to check back next time to learn about bigger sound masking systems that can be used office-wide.

 

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A Quick Guide to Sound Machines

September 16, 2010 By

A Sound Machine for All

White noise and its use to combat distraction and other irritating noise-related phenomena have been around for many years.  From home use to classrooms to  treatment for tinnitus to medical and even government buildings, white noise technology has provided effective sound coverage, as well as heightened levels of privacy, and therefore, confidentiality.  Here’s a quick overview, or guide, to some of the most effective white noise machines and systems available today.

VoiceArrest- a Sound Masking System for an entire office building or floor, equipped with Direct-Field Technology or the most uniform, effective coverage to maximize productivity and confidentiality

Sonet White Noise System- an individual sound machine with multi-channel technology for a larger office, or even a cubicle, with 2 emitters.  An extension kit is also available.

Sound Oasis Deluxe for Offices- another effective single office coverage option, but with over 100  nature sounds and 3 speakers.

Sound Oasis Travel White Noise System- similar to the Sound Oasis with the same nature sound, this little machine is portable and will fit in any size luggage you have.  Great for when you’re on the road or even when you’re oscillating between several workstations.

Sound Oasis with Memory Card- the world’s only sound machine with sound card technology to help provide a relaxing  atmosphere for work, sleep, and even tinnitus.

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3 Uses of White Noise in the Office

September 1, 2010 By

Distracted at Work

Do you struggle with distraction at work?  Chances are you do.  In fact, most people are distracted more than 2 hours every day.  What could you do with 2 more hours every day?  Now, what could your business do with 2 more hours per employee??

3 Uses of White Noise in the Office

How do you regain lost time in the office?  Well, you can’t ban cell phones and texting, but you can take control of all the noise heard round the office.  Rather than try to control noise, why not moderate it?  With white noise, you actually add noise to tune out noise.  By adding low-level unstructured noise from all over the sound spectrum, you allow your brain to tune out potentially distracting sounds and focus in on work.  Here are 3 common uses of white noise.

  • An emitter, or speaker, for a sound masking system

    Free White Noise Generator: a free online generator that can be customized by the user.

  • Sonet Sound System: A great individual solution for noise that is even and effective and doesn’t require any specialized knowledge.
  • Sound Masking: The best office-wide sound solution with invisible uniform distribution through speakers in the ceiling tiles.

Choosing which form of white noise to implement is largely dependent upon how large a group you need coverage for.  Ideally, every office would install sound masking, thus protecting the time of every employee.  However, not all businesses have a budget to cover that and some companies have opted for individual systems, such as the Sonet.  The main difference is how much space is treated.  It’s up to you to decide what your company needs and how valuable your time is.

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How to cover office noise

July 27, 2010 By

Is office noise a problem in your building?

If you answered no, then you are in a small minority indeed.  The fact of the matter is that national averages show that between $500 and $700 billion are lost each year as a result of office distractions, such as a noisy environment.  Office noise may be as simple as whirring machines or as complicated as intermittent conversations and sales calls.  And while much office noise can be contributed to the employees themselves, most employees do complain about it because it keeps them from completing their tasks quickly or effectively.  In fact, many employees lose their evenings and weekends due to unfinished work.

What can you do about office noise?  You can’t exactly ban sales calls or unplug crucial machinery to provide a silent office.  Actually, most workers find that silence is even deadlier than too much noise.  (Can you imagine what the loss to productivity would be if it’s even worse than the $500-$700 billion problem of distraction??)  It may seem as if it’s a catch 22 and nothing will work.  That’s where you are (happily) wrong!

White Noise and Sound Masking

Rather than silence noisy distractions, why not cover them?  That way workers are focused on their tasks without feeling nervous about a sterile environment.  I offer you 2 simple solutions.

  1. Sound Masking.  Sound masking is the emission of white noise through speakers mounted within the ceiling tiles.  This white noise (like all white noise) is loud enough to cover distractions and even provide greater privacy levels.  You could treat as many areas as you like with no aesthetic change since the speakers are practically invisible.
  2. However, if office-wide coverage is not in your budget (though with billions of dollars of loss, it may need to be), it might be time to consider individual white noise systems, such as the Sonet.  The Sonet System is also highly effective, but on an individualized basis.

To determine what you need, you might want to take a day to spend in the common office area(s).  Check out how much noise there really is, where’s it’s coming from, and how distracting it is.  As you survey your noise problem, you’ll know whether you need a larger or smaller system.

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