Why is Diversity important in the workplace?
October 31 2023
Read moreOffices can be loud. The trend toward open-plan means that everyone can hear everyone else. And when there are phones ringing, people chatting and clients visiting, the hubbub can get overwhelming.
Some people with certain mental health conditions find loud environments distracting. ADHD sufferers, those on the autistic spectrum and people with stress-related anxiety are likely to find noise they can’t control difficult to deal with. Not to mention the difficulties faced by people with misophonia.
There are ways to combat this though—better ways than just demanding everyone is quiet. Listening to white noise while working can help. But what exactly is white noise?
Put simply, it is a random signal, with equal intensity of frequencies between 20Hz and 20,000Hz—the thresholds of human hearing. Put even more simply, it’s that ‘pshhhhh’ sound you find on websites like Mynoise or Freewhitenoise.
Other colours of noise, such as brown noise or pink noise, concentrate on different frequencies. And harsh noise, like Incapacitants, probably doesn’t help much (but that’s a different story entirely.)
The idea is that this random spread of frequencies blocks out external sound, and is difficult for the hyperactive mind to fixate on. It provides a calming effect, not unlike mindfulness or meditation. Studies have shown that white noise helps concentration in adults with dementia—its calming properties can work in the office, too.
There are a couple of ways:
There are several great reasons to use white noise for work:
A white noise masking system isn’t going to solve all your problems overnight, but it’s a good start. If you have any questions about noise in the office—white or otherwise—contact us today on 0844 892 2493
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