Tiny white noise systems are becoming ever more popular in today’s day and age. In fact, they’ve become so widely used and popular there are even white noise systems for dogs available!
Many white noise machines claim to have stress-reducing effects, and many people use them to cope with tumultuous times, care for their mental health, or even to fall asleep each night. White noise tends to project all frequencies and can sound similar to AM static.
Upon hearing the benefits of white noise machines and comparing them to those of sound masking, one will see they are quite similar. Indeed, sound masking, when used as part of an intelligent sound management system in an employment setting, helps employees to concentrate and decreases workplace stress.
Therefore, it’s easy to confuse sound masking and white noise, or even to think they’re the same thing. In reality, the two concepts are quite different. Building Systems Solutions, your local provider of office sound masking systems, is here to discuss a few key differences between sound masking systems and white noise systems.
Let us explain why sound masking is by far the better choice for an office setting!
White Noise & Sound Masking: Similar But Not Identical
As stated above, both systems and concepts have benefits that are alike, but that’s where their similarities end. White noise machines, scientifically speaking, act to muffle sounds by playing additional sound at a wide spectrum of frequencies.
Sound masking, on the other hand, is a much more tailored solution. It is designed specifically to muffle human speech and only human speech.
Sound masking devices can analyze voices and emit the right sound masking to cover those voices. This makes it ideal for office settings where employees need to hear other auditory cues to do their jobs, such as telephones or message pings.
White Noise Doesn’t Solve Sound Issues
A problem with white noise is that it has a sound profile of its own. Which means to make it loud enough to cover other sounds, it will just become an additional distraction.
Another primary difference between sound masking and white noise is that white noise is localized. You can tell where the sound is coming from.
A sound masking device is designed to project the sound in a way that makes it invisible to the ear, fading into the background. As you walk through an office, you shouldn’t notice any gaps in the sound masking like you might with white noise.
Benefits of Sound Masking Compared to White Noise
Adding white noise to your facility simply cannot provide the same benefits as installing a sound masking system. What advantages could boost your business?
Workplace Settings
Sound masking is more often seen in a workplace setting. While there are many white noise machines available for at-home use (some of which don’t even produce white noise in the scientific sense of the term), sound masking is more frequently seen on a larger scale.
More Comfortable Environment
Sound masking generally creates a more comfortable environment. Because sound masking only uses the frequencies of sound needed to muffle human speech, many people find it a much more seamless sound management system solution than white noise.
Less Noticeable
Sound masking tends to be less noticeable. Your ears probably will be able to locate a white noise machine, but sound masking systems are designed to be completely invisible, auditorily speaking!
Increased Privacy
Sound masking increases privacy. Because of the unique frequencies used to create sound masking, it can increase privacy. Conversations will not travel through an office or other space as easily.
Works in Multiple Settings
Sound Masking works in many environments. Offices are not the only environments that can benefit from sound masking. Hospitals, doctor’s offices, banks, and more can help keep sensitive conversations from traveling to others.
Improved Company Culture
Sound masking improves company culture. Bad feelings toward coworkers who talk a lot during the day can be eliminated with sound masking, in addition to making conversations easier to have without increased voice volume.
Reduces Stress
Sound masking reduces stress. As people come back to work in the office, employees feel the stress of this life transition. Reduce the latent stress in your office by introducing sound masking.
Increased Productivity
Sound masking increases productivity. Employees tend to enjoy their office more when they can get work done in a comfortable environment. Sound masking can help develop just such an environment.
Contact Building Systems Solutions for Smart Sound Masking Solutions
As a provider of comprehensive sound management solutions, we’d be happy to show your business all the benefits sound masking brings. Give us a call now at 763-502-1515.