Can You Hear the Problem?
Imagine gathering your entire sales team to present a new initiative, the culmination of months of research, development, and planning.
Let’s say you’re confident this will revolutionize your industry and dramatically increase your company’s reach. Yet, you find yourself being asked to repeat details. You see team members whispering to each other, asking what you’ve said, and requesting clarification…
If your workers can’t hear the details, you’ve got a problem.
That problem is rooted in how sound travels, reflecting off hard surfaces and causing reverberation that muddies speech, creates distractions that make it difficult for workers to focus, and impacts routine calls, meetings, and overall communication. Meaning those misunderstandings will likely travel downstream – to dealers, clients, and end-users. Acoustic treatments solve these issues, providing better sound, creating a better working environment, and, ultimately, better work.
Still wondering if you’ve got a problem? Here are 5 signs your office is too loud:
Sign 1: Constant Distractions from Conversations and Noise
In a reverberant, high-traffic setting, even the clacking of keyboards and overlapping conversations make working effectively a challenge. Then there’s noise from essential office equipment: the hum of fans; noise from printers, shredders, incoming calls; endless notifications – all build up into a cacophony that plays havoc with concentration.
Over time, that wears on workers’ patience and health, increasing stress hormones, reducing cognitive performance, and negatively impacting productivity and job satisfaction.
A recent Oxford Economics survey reveals that 63% of workers agree that a noisy workspace interferes with their ability to work well, with some studies estimating that workers lose almost a full day of work per week just coping with such distractions.
Additionally, almost 60% of workers cite office noise as a primary factor in their reluctance to return to the office, although 90% believe an in-person setting is more conducive to collaboration and contributes to a sense of belonging.
If a space is too noisy, bringing workers together may actually contribute to their feeling isolated.
The solution:
Broadway wall and ceiling panels – a proven fix for recording studios and performance spaces, our high-performance line of glass wool acoustic panels provides class-leading sound control in any space.
EcoScapes PET wall panels and ceiling clouds – Constructed from PET plastic sourced from recycled plastic water and soda bottles, EcoScapes wall panels and ceiling clouds offer exceptional sound absorption. They’re also highly customizable and can be precision-crafted using advanced CNC machining, allowing them to double as a unique design element while meeting the acoustic needs of your space.
Sign 2: Video Calls and Meetings Sound Echoey, Harsh, or Too Loud
The difficulty of maintaining focus while others around you are on, say, a loud sales call isn’t a new problem, but it’s exacerbated by the increase in virtual meetings.
Calls that were previously one-on-ones now routinely include more people. Whether they’re held in a dedicated meeting room or in spaces where other, similar calls are taking place, a poor-sounding environment can lead to critical details being missed and/or an inability to understand the nuances of conversation critical to doing business effectively.
The Solution:
Flexible enough to allow for the design of unique shapes, patterns, and colours, EcoScapes wall panels, ceiling clouds, and wood-grain Slat Wall treatments eliminate noise, enhancing speech intelligibility and the look of any space.
Sign 3: There’s No Privacy
One of the most common distractions workers complain about is overlapping conversations, both during meetings held in open office spaces and from casual discussions between co-workers. That, and the knowledge that your own conversations are being overheard and potentially distracting others, increases stress, discomfort, and also leads to workplace dissatisfaction and, ultimately, decreased productivity.
Chances are that if you’ve heard the problem, you’ve taken some action to mitigate it. Asking people to be aware of others and speak more quietly can help, but workplace etiquette aside, there are many other noise sources to deal with: foot traffic, doors slamming, ambient noise from HVAC systems, even exterior construction and traffic noise.
The Solution:
Reinforced with high-mass gypsum, Primacoustic’s innovative ThunderTiles – part of our GridWay line of high-performance acoustic ceiling tiles – stop noise from seeping in from outside and help control interior sound.
Sign 4: Low Morale, High Fatigue
Anything that negatively impacts your workers’ well-being and efficacy can become an issue outside the office, leading to higher rates of employee turnover and legitimate health issues.
In any work environment – even dedicated meeting rooms and huddle spaces – clarity, intelligibility, and comfort are critical for lowering stress levels for employees, enhancing productivity, and improving the overall experience for everyone – including clients and customers.
The solution:
A comprehensive plan and the application of a sound control system tailored specifically to your needs, sonically and aesthetically.
From wall- and ceiling-mounted panels to T-bar acoustic tiles, and fully customizable options incorporating logos, branding, or virtually anything you can imagine, Primacoustic offers cost-effective, easy-to-install solutions. Acoustic treatment that will enhance your workspace acoustically and aesthetically, and even contribute to LEED and WELL Certification, without redesigning, renovating, or even rethinking how your office functions.
Sign 5: The Complaints Keep Coming
Of all the issues we’ve pinpointed so far, this is the clearest sign that whatever you have done to mitigate acoustic issues isn’t working. Again, the solution is acoustic treatment.
If you’re looking for more information and inspiration, check out our full range of sound control solutions, including our paintable and printable options, or browse our content library to see our products in action.
We’re always expanding on our offerings, most recently with our new Broadway Signature Suite, made to order in North America, offering class-leading sound control and featuring designer-trusted fabrics and colours from Guilford of Maine.
Fixing the Problem Is Simpler Than You Think
The critical role of acoustics in modern offices can’t be understated – or addressed – with stopgap measures. But fixing the problem is actually easier than you may think.
For over two decades, Primacoustic has been the go-to choice for high-performance listening environments worldwide – from recording studios to concert halls and everything in between.
We have a wealth of experience to help identify a solution that fits your specific needs, regardless of the acoustic issues you’re experiencing, the size or layout of your workspace, or your office atmosphere. We’re there for you every step of the way, from conception to completion, specification through installation, and beyond.
Hear the problem, but aren’t sure how to solve it? Share information about your office space, or send us a photo or layout, and we’ll recommend a solution.
At Primacoustic, we’re listening. Be Heard.
