How are you affected by noise at work?

The sound environment we are surrounded by affects both how we feel and how productive we are, according to research. It is therefore important to consider sound as an important part of the whole, regardless of the floor plan or type of office, when designing a new work environment. It is important to understand how sound works and how it affects us.

How do you know the noise level is too high?

How much we are affected by sound is subjective. Some people are more sensitive than others when it comes to sound levels. However, there is a lot of research and guidelines that can be useful to keep in mind. For example, the risk of heart attack increases at 65dB - which is a common noise level in our offices. Even at 55dB, 40% of office workers experience reduced concentration.

15 Decibel - Rustling leaves.

30-35 Decibel - Library. WHO recommended sound level for hospital rooms and classrooms.

50-55 Decibel - Quiet office. 40% of office workers experience impaired concentration.
Increased risk of high blood pressure, sleep problems and cardiovascular disease.

65 Decibels - Loud office Average noise level in classrooms and offices. Increased risk of heart attack

70-85 Decibel - Street traffic. Legal requirement for hearing protection for long-term exposure in many countries. Permanent hearing loss and elevated cholesterol levels.

How does the sound environment affect your productivity?

Workplaces with high noise levels can easily cause concentration problems and irritation, and ultimately affect productivity. A research study tested and compared three different environments: a single office with a closed door, an open office landscape with appropriate acoustic solutions and an open office landscape without acoustic solutions.

The study showed that performance in the open office landscape with appropriate acoustic solutions was as high as in the closed-door office. In contrast, performance deteriorated in the open office landscape without well thought-out acoustic solutions.

Thus, better working conditions for individual work can be created by increasing the understanding that others are affected by conversations around the individual.

How to create a healthy sound environment in your office

Set up the office with different zones, with each zone tailored to a specific type of activity. Based on your company and your way of working. It should always be possible to work in peace and quiet, without being disturbed by other colleagues' conversations. At the same time, there also needs to be spaces that are conducive to conversation and collaboration.

A simple and effective tool is to work with sound-absorbing floor screens. For example, with movable floor screens you can quickly create a separate room in the middle of an open office landscape. In this way, you get a flexible office that can easily be adapted to your needs and situation. Fixed wall screens effectively reduce noise and clutter, providing a better sound environment throughout the office.

We are all differently sensitive to sound and today's offices need to be able to cater for everyone's needs. That's why an activity-based office is a great solution, a flexible and dynamic workplace where every area is sound-optimised for a particular type of activity. Companies that succeed will have a greater opportunity to increase office productivity, well-being and, ultimately, profitability. Prioritising the sound environment should simply be seen as a smart investment, which often pays off in the long run.