how can acoustics reduce noise distractions in the office?
for businesses who want to instil a culture of collaboration and teamwork, there’s no substitute for the office
But, in the era of hybrid-working, employees don’t always agree. Often, they can get more work done remotely, where they’re less likely to be distracted by loud coworkers and background noise of the office.
By thinking about how acoustics can be used to design out noise, companies can make the office a less stressful, more tranquil environment in which workers can thrive..
distraction in the workplace – the productivity stopper
The problem with most modern offices is simple – they are too loud.
69% of employees globally are negatively impacted by workplace noise. Particularly in open-plan spaces, sounds echo and reflect across the room so that chatter, telephones and keyboards become an unavoidable distraction.
It can be annoying, but more than that it has a big impact on productivity. One study found that noise pollution harms people’s ability to recall information and perform maths exercises, and more time can be lost by the mistakes that creep in when workers are distracted.
In fact, on average, employees lose two working hours a day because of office distractions impacting their concentration, making them 66% less productive when working in offices compared to individual workspaces.
Even just ignoring the noise can have a detrimental effect. Blocking out noise triggers a natural stress response which raises heart rates and blood pressure, wasting energy that could be spent on work.
Ultimately, noise pollution makes working in the office a needlessly tiring and negative experience for employees.
getting above the office noise
Taking measures to drown out noisy distractions in the workplace can have a big impact on how much work gets done there, as well as increasing the appeal of returning to the office.
One way to reduce the impact of distracting noise is to recognise that different types of work necessitates different noise levels, so should take place in different zones. Focussed work requires a quiet work zone where distractions are minimised, whereas collaborative work will need to take place somewhere that can handle high noise levels without echoing.
Acoustic design is essential for achieving that. Designating work zones is pointless if it doesn’t stop noise reverberating between focused and collaborative spaces.
how to reduce noise in the office
- Use Acoustic Spray: Acoustic sprays massively improve office acoustics and reverberation without impacting design!
- Add Carpets or Rugs: Carpets and rugs can help absorb noise from footsteps and furniture movements, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Create Private Areas: Encourage employees to take calls or have discussions in private areas to reduce the noise levels in the main workspace.
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Headphones work well for blocking out office noise, plus you can listen to your own music. They’re ideal for individuals who need to focus on tasks that require concentration.
- Implement White Noise: White noise machines can be used to mask unwanted sounds and create a more peaceful and productive environment.
- Install Solid Core Doors: Solid core doors can significantly reduce noise transmission between different areas of an office, especially in meeting rooms or private offices.
- Rearrange Furniture: Rearranging furniture can be a simple and effective way to reduce noise in an office. Consider placing furniture strategically to create barriers between noisy areas and workstations.
design out distractions with SonaSpray
Oscar Acoustics’ SonaSpray range can reduce noise pollution and create quiet spaces that allow staff to get on with the job, distraction free.
SonaSpray is a decorative acoustic spray that absorbs sound rather than reflecting it, reducing reverberation time to dampen overall noise levels. Applicable to most substrates, SonaSpray can acoustically transform any interior space, making it possible to create collaborative and focussed work zones within one office. Offices, meeting rooms and atriums can be transformed into calm, quieter spaces without sacrificing bright and open design.
To find out more about how SonaSpray can help you design out noise pollution in your workspace, get in touch.