Sound masking is designed to mask conversations where privacy is a concern. Healthcare offices, banks, government buildings, and lawyer’s offices are all good candidates for sound masking.
American Sound answers frequently asked questions about sound masking.
What is sound masking?
Sound masking is a technique for eliminating distracting background noise in an office or clinical setting. It can help keep conversations between two people more private.
Related Post: Is Your Business Benefitting From Sound Masking?
What does noise masking sound like?
Noise masking sounds like air running through the room.
Unlike white noise that makes sounds over other noises, a professional noise masking system creates ambient sounds that make it seem like the air conditioning is running very slightly.
At what decibel level does sound masking function optimally?
Between 44 and 45 decibels, or just below the average dishwasher.
Every room’s situation is unique, however. Noise masking sounds may be set to lower or higher decibel levels.
Where does the sound come from?
Noise masking sounds come from speakers installed in the plenum of the ceiling or in the walls of a room outside of the room that requires privacy.
For example, the main lobby of a bank has members of the public coming in and out throughout the day. Offices just off the lobby have people discussing loan options in a private setting. The noise masking sounds would be coming from the lobby as opposed to the private offices where people discuss their finances.
Can People Hear The Sounds?
Yes, people can hear noise masking sounds. But they are designed to be as unnoticeable as possible.
Remember, these speakers are in the ceiling or walls. At 12-foot-high ceilings, noise masking sounds at 44 to 45 decibels will sound like a dishwasher running at low speed.
Are noise masking sounds the same as white noise?
No, because white noise sounds like AM radio static you hear in car speakers. It’s also loud and distracting.
Noise masking sounds are specifically engineered to overlap with the frequency of human speech, making it very difficult to overhear a conversation in the next room.
Is Sound Masking different from white noise?
Noise masking sounds precisely match a certain band of frequencies for greater speech privacy and worker productivity when you want to cut down on people overhearing conversations in certain settings.
Can anyone install sound masking equipment?
No, noise masking technology should be installed by professionals who know how to calibrate the equipment and set up the equalizers, speakers, and computer software properly.
Is it the same as noise cancelling?
No, because noise cancelling prevents sounds from reaching your ears. Noise masking sounds help your brain to stop focusing on background sounds.
Who can install sound masking equipment at my building?
American Sound, with offices in Cincinnati and Louisville, can take care of sound masking technology at your facility.
Call us at (859) 261-9024 for more information!