What is sound masking?

Originally used only in offices and call centers, sound masking now benefits visitors and employees alike in hospitals, medical and dental clinics, bank branches, military facilities, libraries, hotels, and a whole host of other applications.

Why sound masking? In many environments that require speech privacy, employee concentration, or both, there’s simply not enough background sound (also called ambient sound), leaving occupants trying to work in a pin-drop environment. In fact, the background sound level in most offices is so low you can easily hear conversations and noise from up to 50 feet (15 meters) away.

These distractions make it difficult to concentrate. It takes more effort to focus, which tires you out, affecting your mood and, ultimately, your productivity. What’s more, confidential conversations can easily be overheard, making employees and visitors nervous about talking.

Sound masking addresses these problems.

At its most basic, a sound masking system consists of a series of loudspeakers installed in a grid-like pattern in the ceiling, as well as a method of controlling those speakers’ output.

The loudspeakers distribute an engineered background sound, raising the facility’s ambient level in a highly controlled fashion.

Benefits of sound masking

  • Noise control
  • Speech privacy
  • Improved productivity
  • Lower project costs
  • Facility flexibility
  • Quick ROI

What does sound masking sound like?

The sound masking “sound” has most often been compared to softly “whooshing” air, although it’s actually a specifically engineered blend of frequencies that’s perfect for covering up speech and incidental noises.

You may have experienced something like the sound masking effect when running water at the kitchen sink while trying to talk to someone in the next room. You can tell the other person is speaking, but it’s difficult to comprehend what they’re saying because the running water has raised the background sound level in your area.

Examples are endless: the sound of an airplane engine, rustling leaves, the murmur of a crowd in a busy restaurant. All of these have the potential to mask sounds you would otherwise hear.

How LogiSon® sound masking is different

Of course, when introducing a masking sound to your workplace, it’s vital to ensure that it’s as comfortable and unobtrusive as possible.

That’s why the LogiSon Acoustic Network uses small adjustment zones of one to three loudspeakers and offers fine control over both volume and frequency. More control means the sound will be more effective at providing masking, while easily blending into your environment. Put simply, with the LogiSon Acoustic Network, occupants will notice the masking sound less and enjoy its benefits equally across your entire space.

Where is sound masking used?
 

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LogiSon, AccuMask, Archoustics, Task Masking, and Acoustic Comfort are registered trademarks of 777388 Ontario Limited. 
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