Background Noise in the Workplace

Background noise in the workplace isn't just an annoyance; it can impact your productivity and even your health.

According to a 2015 report from the World Green Building Council, excessive background noise can lead to an astounding 66% drop in performance for tasks requiring concentration. This is especially troublesome for open layout offices, where the insistent chatter of computers, keyboards, phones, scanners, printers, and human conversation can result in a focus-shattering cacophony.

The stakes are even higher in industrial settings like factories and warehouses. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, has said noise levels over 85 decibels can damage one's hearing, with the Center for Disease Control estimating that 22 million workers every year are exposed to such dangerous levels of noise in the workplace.

Acoustic solutions such as panels, clouds, or baffles can help absorb many of these echoes, reverberations, and mid to high frequencies, but that's just the beginning of addressing these noise issues. Workplaces should also mitigate excessive noise by relocating loud office equipment behind doors or partitions, designating "quiet zones" where employees can enjoy some much-needed auditory respite, and requiring the use of hearing protectors in areas where even the best acoustic solution can't entirely reduce noise to a manageable level.

In the end, you'll have happier and healthier workers. And that's always a good thing.