Sound Masking in Baltimore: What is it and how to get it Installed

Sound masking has been an increasing trend in Baltimore businesses as more people become aware of its benefits.  It can help offices reduce distractions and provide privacy. If you’re considering sound masking for your business, we want to help give you the information to make that decision.

What are the Benefits of Sound Masking?

The need for privacy and the knowledge that sounds can be distracting are not new concepts. However, with new information on the science of sound pollution, the effects of distraction on productivity, the continued pressure to stay HIPPA compliant, and the ability to create the technology, sound masking has been a growing trend for organizations all over the world.

Unlike most trends, sound masking is not just new technology that’s impressive to install. It carries many benefits that make it an obvious choice for many organizations.

Let’s explore the benefits:

Protects speech privacy

Many organizations require privacy to protect their clients' private information and for internal purposes. Doctor offices, counseling centers, even conference rooms are expected to be a place where conversations can be kept confidential. Sound masking helps with this.

Improves Productivity by reducing noise distractions

We are a society that lives off the need to stay productive. While a small percentage of individuals enjoy background noise and conversations while working, the rest of the population can be easily distracted. Libraries, schools, offices, and any other shared workspace can all provide improved productivity with the help of an installed sound masking system.

Improves acoustics

Have you ever had a hard time with a conversation because you could hear everyone’s conversations? Have you ever noticed that some rooms seem very echoey? With the help of sound masking, the acoustics of a room can be improved to create a balanced comfortable environment that’s not too quiet and not too loud.

Reduces stress and mental fatigue

You may be rolling your eye thinking “can sound masking really reduce stress?” And the answer is yes. One thing we don’t consider is how much noise pollution we encounter every day in the workplace. Most office employees have to deal with distracting conversations around the office, their office mate’s radio, ringing phones, and more, all while trying to focus on the tasks in front of them. This can lead to additional mental fatigue as the days go on. 

Have you ever had a day where you just drove home with the radio off because your brain felt wiped out? That’s due to too much noise pollution. Sound masking can help stave off sound pollution, reducing the mental fatigue of employees.

Is Sound Masking the same as White Noise?

The benefits of sound masking sound great, but is it the same as white noise? The answer is no. 

While there are some similarities between the two and benefits that both provide, the two are not quite the same. 

White noise is a “localized: noise. When it’s heard, your ears and brain can determine where the sound is coming from. White noise is often used as a distraction or a focal point (think about how people use fans as white noise to help them sleep). This can end up adding to the noise of a room and can become a distraction in and of itself. 

Sound masking on the other hand creates an immersive experience that creates sound everywhere. Its unique design doesn’t just create noise but creates sound at a frequency that overlaps human speech. When installed correctly, sound masking fades into the background and goes unnoticed. 

Organizations can find uses for both white noise and sound masking technology. However, if your goal is to limit the distractions instead of creating a noisy focal point, then you may want to consider sound masking. 

How to get Sound Masking Installed at your Organization

The best way to install sound masking for your organization is to hire a sound masking expert. While you can purchase sound masking equipment and install it yourself, there’s much more to it than hooking up a few wires. The design is just as important as proper installation. 

Proper installation and design of a sound masking system require knowledge of how AV systems work so that zoning and room response are at proper levels. It also takes an understanding of how sound masking works so the speakers are placed in the correct areas and at the correct frequencies. 

Sound masking can provide an organization with many benefits, but only if properly installed. If your organization is interested in sound masking or has questions about it, please contact us at any time.