If you work at the office, then you would definitely agree how much of a nuisance the sound of conversations between other people can be. Sounds like human voices, music, and noise given out by machines can easily distract a person and lower his productivity. This kind of distraction can result in stressed employees and a grumpy boss.

You can wear headphones to keep away unwanted noise, or you can avail of office sound masking in the office. Having been around for 50 years already, sound masking is already applied by many offices of today. Office sound masking takes its roots to physics principles, working by disguising conversations and other noise into more "acceptable" and less distracting sound. Usually installed on the ceiling, installing a sound masking system might just be the answer to your office regarding privacy and productivity.

Confidential matters and transactions remain private if you install sound masking in your office. The system works by using low-level noise to "fill up" the sound spectrum around you. The human ear is actually quite good at picking up various sounds simultaneously. It easily picks up language and music, otherwise known as structured sounds, and is constantly on alert about threatening sounds. In the same way, it can tune out unstructured or monotone sounds. Sound masking works by allowing human voice and other noise just fade into the background.

Direct-field sound masking is the most widely used today for it is the most effective. Sound engineers invented this type of office sound masking system, which is low cost and easier to install, around 1998. It features an ultra-wide-angle dispersion speaker than can emit sound at a 170-degree angle. Compared to older models consisting of a confusing mix of speaker networks, sound absorbers, and reflective materials, the direct-field system is much simpler to install.

An office sound masking system should be installed in the part of the office where noise is most heard; not necessarily the source. The most common place where sound masking is mounted is in the open area of the office. However, you can also designate two separate sound masking zones. You can do apply sound masking within offices like human resources where confidential transactions and conversations usually take place.

Remember that sound masking is not the same as sound cancellation. Noise cancellation systems are not yet manufactured on a commercial scale. There are military-grade installations to entirely block out sound but they can cost you hundreds of thousand of dollars.