A timer allows the sound masking’s volume to vary in accordance with activity levels during the workday, helping to ensure effectiveness and comfort.

Ask whether the sound masking system offers a timer function and, if so, how many independent zones it supports, whether the zones are hardwired or digital, whether it provides 7-day independent schedules, whether unique schedules can be programmed for specific days of the year (e.g. holidays, summer hours workdays and special events), and the degree to which the timer function can vary the rate of volume change.

Note that some systems also offer an acclimatization or ramp-up feature, which can be used to gradually introduce the sound masking in retrofit installations.