Combating noiseWhen existing acoustic measures failChildren playing, neighbours shouting, loud music, heavy traffic – all known causes of noise. However we often fail to realise that offices can be noisy too. Usually through disturbing background noises. People are continually disturbed by colleague’s phone calls, or other noises in their vicinity. Concentration and productivity rapidly disappear, and health-related absenteeism increases alarmingly. In industry one can tackle the noise of a large generator with anti-sound, but this doesn’t work in offices, as these types of space have too high a range of frequencies. Even acoustic measures such as absorbing materials in partition walls and system ceilings often provide scant solace. In this kind of situation soundmasking often provides astounding results. |
