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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. Voices, music, and other office noise made by people and office equipment easily break people's concentration and hamper the workers' productivity. As a result, you are most likely to see exhausted employees and a cranky boss.

Instead of having everyone wear headphones to block out the noise, an office sound masking system would make a much more worthwhile investment. Already used by many private offices today, sound masking has been around for around five decades. Office sound masking is based on a principle of physics wherein conversations and other noises are "masked" through the addition of a soft background noise. Sound masking systems, usually mounted on the ceilings, can be the solution you are looking for to introduce better privacy and higher productivity in the office.

Confidential matters and transactions remain private if you install sound masking in your office. Unwanted noise is "masked" through the use of low-level noise to "fill in" the sound spectrum surrounding you. The human ear works like a miniature radar dish, you see. 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 allows you to hear conversations from another room but you will not be able to understand it.

The most effective type of sound masking used today is the direct-field system. Sound engineers invented this type of office sound masking system, which is low cost and easier to install, around 1998. It uses an ultra-wide-angle speaker that disperses sound at a 170-degree angle. The system is found to be simpler to install compared to older models as it gets rid of complex technological systems and a mix of sound absorbers, reflective materials, and speakers.

Install your office sound masking system where noise is heard and not the area where it comes from. The open area of the office is where sound masking systems are commonly installed. You have a choice, however, to appoint two 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 that totally cancel noise but they are too expensive to be used on an office setting.

More companies are having sound masking systems installed in their offices. Office sound masking can do wonders for the productivity and overall well-being of employees. Confidential transactions stay private and people enjoy more peace and quiet to be able to perform better at work.