A noisy office environment is already a distraction, a massive reason for annoyance. Generally, companies focus more on hygiene, temperature control, seating areas, and other such components, which are equally critical. However, they also need to remember internal acoustic systems in their planning. Else, the environment remains filled with plenty of noise types. You can blame their lack of soundproofing capability on composition. And if it’s an open plan, you can imagine the situation. These spaces usually contain reflective glass and concrete surfaces, known to produce echoes and intensify the noises. So, when deciding which layouts are more prone to noise, the majority will confirm it’s the open plan. Unfortunately, 70% of offices today use the open plan concept.
While open spaces look more accessible and friendly, poor acoustics harm employees and workers. Due to excess noise, one can suffer in many areas, such as physical health, productivity, happiness, and well-being. Investing in office noise cancellation products is essential for small, medium, and large organizations for these reasons. Nonetheless, let’s analyze the effects of noise on people in the office.
Stress
People already deal with workplace realities like office politics and tight deadlines. While these are enough stressors, the addition of constant exposure to loud noises makes it worse. These trigger physiologic stress in the body, spiking heartbeats and blood pressure. Non-stop conversations and phone rings also interfere with people’s heart rates. Studies prove that even brief periods of interaction with loud noises can harm one’s health. Their bodies can release stress hormones leading to cases like hypertension.
Low productivity
Background conversations can affect one’s productivity levels by almost 66%. It can disrupt any reading or writing activity. When a survey on an open office layout took place, it recorded high levels of distraction. Today, modern buildings mostly embrace open plans without any segregation. Hence, it’s easy to imagine the consequence.
Lack of connecting with the inner voice
Floors with no partitions and cabins can be suitable for movement and create an illusion of sprawling space. In truth, this needs revision. Studies demonstrate that the sounds of conversations are most disruptive than anything else. A person’s average tolerance level for hearing human discussions can be about 1.6. If you listen to one person, your bandwidth gets exhausted by 1, leaving you with the scope for just .6. There is no way you can avoid this. You get only 0.6 of the bandwidth to focus on your inner voice.
Reduced multitasking abilities
Multitasking is a talent and a way to block environmental noise from affecting you. A Stanford University scholar says that habitual multitaskers fail to resume their tasks once distracted and can easily get affected by disrupting noises.
Compromised speech privacy
The growing popularity of open office spaces can be because of the ease of collaboration, communication, and sharing between different teams. While it has merits, one must recognize its negative impact. One of the reputable studies shows that speech intelligibility heavily affects employee performance. Workers’ cognitive skills and memory suffer when they can hear nearby conversations. A survey created three types of office simulation to represent an open office plan without noise treatment, an open layout with acoustic measures, and a cubicle office. Of the three, the unprotected office space with an open plan with an elevated Speech Intelligibility rate demonstrated how people’s performance takes a beating in such an environment.
Tiredness
Scientists corroborate the connection between high noise levels and high BP and stress hormones because of the stimulation of the nervous system. You can work harder to improve your focus and complete a task. But it will again tire you.
Reduced ergonomics
Some believe that a person hunches or slouches due to a sense of laziness, while it can result from exposure to loud noise. One of the credible journals shows that employees in open-plan layouts rarely take care of their postures and usually slump over their desks. It increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Lack of motivation
Due to noise irritation, people prefer simple work. Their epinephrine levels shoot up, a sign of high stress. Some also display behavioral changes, such as less attention to solving incomplete puzzles.
What is the solution?
Noise-canceling devices and accessories are one of the cost-effective additions. They use the power of technology to mask unwanted sound effects, taking care of factors like speech privacy, loud sound, and more. One needs to do little to their existing structures. These are easy-to-install tools covering a large area for desired sound impact. Also, you can use them in your office without worrying about aesthetics. The devices blend with your setup easily. If you want to do more, other quick solutions are also available. For instance, you can take inspiration from biophilic designs that help integrate outdoor elements into the interior landscape. Options include plants, windows overlooking city views, and natural lighting. You can apply this design consistently across the building rather than reserving it for specific areas.
Cover walls and ceilings with acoustic panels. Even if you opt for an open layout, you can incorporate higher partitions to create a sense of privacy. It will also check the sound from traveling to another area. However, you can lower this expense by installing sound masking systems. So, weigh your options well before doing anything.
Loud workplace noise is a health hazard. If you care for your employees and the business, you must adopt advanced and affordable techniques to cancel unwanted sounds from the environment. When you ensure this, your workers can focus better on their tasks and be more supportive. There will be positive energy flowing in the office. Even your clients will feel impressed when they notice the level of conversation discreetness maintained in your office. It will be the hallmark if you deal with sensitive data and information. People will confide more in you, giving you more business. At the same time, you know no other person gets the details you want to preserve. As said, various means are available. An easy and intelligent way is the use of sound masking technology.
