Sound masking uses modern acoustic technology to make a quieter space for everyone. This technology comes in handy for protecting speech privacy, improving workplace acoustics, and reducing noise distractions. In today’s blog from American Sound, we explain how sound masking technology works.
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We Add Sound
It seems counterintuitive, but sound masking works by adding ambient sounds to the existing environment. The added sound disrupts the way soundwaves travel and reduces the intelligibility of human speech. Less speech in the immediate environment makes the space quieter and less distracting. It also creates better privacy for clients, customers, and employees. The sound you hear is similar to air flowing and moving about the room. But this noise is special: It’s precisely tuned to disrupt human speech.
Precise Wavelengths
Sound masking technology works at specific wavelengths of sound. Not only do we have to take into account the volume of human speech, but also the acoustics of the building. As we install sound masking technology, our technicians measure the masking sounds at ear height in the room. Then we adjust the volume and equalizer accordingly.
Properly Placed Speakers
The beauty of sound masking technology is that no one should ever notice it’s there. Speakers are unobtrusive, usually blending in with the existing ceiling or fixtures of the room. The speakers are small. They’re designed to overlap throughout the room at precise radii. A dedicated computer program manages all of the speakers at once.
Computer Controlled
Variations in noise levels can impact sound masking technology. That’s why a special computer program monitors everything while the system is turned on. Speakers should have a tolerance range by which they are allowed to deviate from the target sound frequency. Some speakers may change the frequency of sound output by a very little bit to compensate for more or less noise in the room. Testing for the optimal sound disruption level may take a few hours, but this process creates the best results.
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Sound Masking Installation by American Sound
Sound masking technology not only improves the privacy of your building, but it also makes ambient conversations far less distracting (and therefore improves productivity). We can install sound masking technology in new and existing structures. Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 for more details on what we can do for you.