How are we affected by noise in our workplaces?
Research shows that the sound environment we are surrounded by affects both how we feel and how productive we are. Therefore, it is important to see acoustics as an integral part, regardless of floor plan, when workplaces are planned and fitted. It is important to understand how sound works and how we are affected by sound in our surroundings.
How do we experience sound and how are we affected by noise?
Unwanted noise is negative for our health, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases when we are exposed to noise. 25% of all professionals in Sweden are disturbed by noise in their workplaces. How much we are affected is largely subjective and some people are more sensitive than others when it comes to noise levels and noise. There are many studies and guidelines on the subject that are good to know. (WHO “Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region/ 2018), (The Swedish Work Environment Authority “Sound and acoustics”)
Prolonged exposure to noise levels of 45-50 dB(A) increases the risk of heart attack, a noise level common in many offices. Already at 55 dB, 40% of office workers experience increased stress and reduced concentration. This is compared to 65cdB, which corresponds to normal conversational tone. A sound equivalent to 20 dB is not twice as loud as 10 dB but 10 times louder.
What is decibel (dB)?
Facts: dB(A)
Sound is measured in units’ decibels (dB).
dB(A) is sound measured with a so-called A-weighting filter in the measuring instrument. The filter attenuates heavily at low frequencies and slightly at high frequencies to resemble the sensitivity of the human ear to different frequencies. In simple terms, dB(A) is the sound that we humans perceive.
(Environmental Medicine Karolinska Institutet) (Lund University / Technical Acoustics)
In our daily lives we are constantly surrounded by sound, below are some comparisons in dB.
20 dB Rustling leaves
30-35 dB Whispering: WHO's recommended noise level for classrooms. From 40 dB, the risk of learning and concentration problems increases.
50-55 dB Quiet office: 40% of office workers experience stress and poor concentration. The risk of high blood pressure, sleep problems and cardiovascular disease increases.
65 dB Normal conversational tone, noisy office: Average noise level in classrooms and many offices. Long-term exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
70-85 dB Street traffic, restaurants: Legal requirement for hearing protection for prolonged exposure in many countries. In addition to the above risks, permanent hearing loss can also occur.
110-120 dB Concert, nightclub: Pain threshold, short-term exposure may lead to hearing damage.
(Audionova.se)
How does the noise level affect productivity?
In workplaces with high noise levels, irritation and difficulty concentrating are a problem, which eventually affects productivity. In a research study, three different office environments were evaluated and compared, which were.
A private office with a closed door, an open-plan office with a suitable acoustic measure and an open-plan office without a well-thought-out acoustic solution.
The study showed that performance in the open plan office with an appropriate acoustic solution was as high as in the private office with the door closed. However, performance was reduced in the open-plan office that lacked proper sound absorption.
How to create a healthy sound environment
We are affected differently by noise and today's office must meet everyone's needs. Activity-based offices are a satisfactory solution, they provide a flexible and dynamic workplace where each area is acoustically optimized for a certain type of activity. If you feel well at the workplace, productivity will increase, this has been confirmed in several studies.
Plan the office according to an activity-based mindset divided into different zones, where individual work, opportunities for conversation and collaboration are considered. Start from the company's individual needs and working methods. It should always be possible to work in peace and quiet, without being disturbed by other colleagues' conversations..
Effective and flexible tools are, wall-hung acoustic panels, table screens, sound-absorbing floor screens and hanging room dividers. With mobile floor screens, a room within a room can easily be created when needed. In this way, you get a flexible office that can easily be adapted to needs and situations. Wall-mounted sound absorbers effectively counteract noise and buzz, resulting in a better sound environment throughout the office.
