Stay connected with us and sign up for our occasional Vibra-Sonic Control email highlighting product updates, specifications and industry news.Sciencehabit shares a report from Science Magazine: Big Brother is listening. Absorb the Sound (absorptive ceiling or wall tiles, flooring).Contact us here for a complimentary consultation. The sound masking experts at Vibra-Sonic Control can design a custom system for your space and business operations. Solve either situation with the addition of controllable background sound through a sound masking system. In other cases, like open-plan offices, talk is disruptive to other workers. In spaces like offices, clinics or financial institutions, many conversations require privacy. Learn how to improve office productivity and conversation privacy. The chart below is from the University of Sydney, published in Harvard Business Review indicating the leading cause of worker frustration is sound privacy. There are no shortage of personal stories and research indicating noise in the workplace is a problem. The addition of controlled, steady background sound in a space becomes unapparent to the brain and acts as a buffer, masking other disruptive sounds nearby. Our brains will respond to these kinds of noises from our fight or flight ‘old brain’ hard-wiring by diverting our focus from our work to the source of the noise. In an office without sound masking, sudden noises and higher-pitched tones from conversations are disruptive. Vibra-Sonic Control sound masking systems use pink noise for optimal sound masking effectiveness. Pink noise is beneficial for alert yet relaxed concentration, perfect for the workplace. Pink noise is calibrated to sound balanced to the human ear the tone has reduced high pitch sounds, is deeper overall and more pleasant. Imagine the sound of steady light to medium rainfall or the distant sound of constant traffic. This makes for a softer sound than white noise. Pink noise delivers less intensity in the higher frequencies and more intensity at the lower end of the spectrum. Similar to white noise, pink noise is made up of various frequencies but with two major differences. Imagine water falling at different speeds, hitting different surfaces or a radio tuned to an unused frequency. White noise is a combination of various frequencies that are audible to the human ear mixed at equal intensity. Pink noise can mask background sounds like conversations helping to prevent breaks in concentration, improving productivity and lessening worker frustrations.
Later sound masking systems used updated technology adopting pink noise, which made for a more comfortable and effective sound for masking systems. Although the systems did their job, the sound was harsh.
White noise is very bright and hissy, less comfortable to the human ear.Įarly sound masking systems in the 60s and 70s used white noise. Pink noise is more pleasant and specially calibrated for how we hear. There is a difference and one is better for controlling background noise through sound masking. White noise is commonly referred to, pink noise, less so. Which is better to combat office noise: pink noise or white noise?ĭifferent ‘colours’ of noise deliver different sound properties and so some are better than others for the workplace.