Sound Masking Installation: A Step-By-Step Guide

Have you ever walked into your office and instantly found yourself distracted by conversations, laughter, or phones ringing? Good news, you aren’t alone! At Teksetra, we have the perfect solution for you. We’re able to find the ideal sound masking solution for your business. Our sound masking technology provides a low-pitched shushing sound called pink noise. The sound is then adjusted and customized to fit the requirements of each room it is utilized in. Distracting noises then become less audible, and human speech is disguised.

The advantages of sound masking are countless. There won’t be as many audible interruptions. Did you know that it has been found that noise distraction can cost workers up to 86 minutes of labor every day if sound masking is not used? You could also see productivity gains for your team. Productivity has been proven to increase between 3% and almost 20% when using sound masking. Having happier staff is among the most significant advantages. Research shows background noise can cause stress, subpar performance, and job discontent. It has been demonstrated that sound masking can lower pressure by as much as 27%. Speech privacy can also be improved by sound masking. One of the significant difficulties for employees is the need for more speech privacy. Businesses can enhance confidentiality and HIPAA security, lessen distractions, and increase privacy through sound masking.

Sound masking installation can be a complex process, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the number of choices and decisions to make. While sound masking is incredibly beneficial for providing privacy in many public settings, such as open offices or healthcare facilities, it’s essential to maximize its potential through proper installation. In this article, we’ll dig deep into all the information necessary to ensure that your sound masking system is installed efficiently — from assessing the space you want to install in or a site survey, task evaluation considerations, planning layouts, and creating an installation checklist.

If done correctly, installing a commercial sound-masking system can help reduce noise distractions, improve employee productivity, and create an overall better experience across the board.

Consultation

The consultation process is crucial in providing the perfect solution for the client’s needs. During the consultation, we take the time to understand and identify the pain points truly and struggles our clients are experiencing. Once we have a clear understanding, we’ll discuss critical areas, such as areas with the most noise traffic. We work closely with our clients to ensure they receive the best possible solution that meets their needs and provides a comfortable, distraction-free environment. It’s all about providing custom-tailored solutions to create a peaceful, productive space for our clients.

What is Pink Noise?

Another goal of sound masking installation is to maximize the amount of “pink noise” within your space.

You may have heard of white noise, but pink noise is a little more unique. Each specific type of sound has its own purpose and effect on the audience listening to it. Here are the various types of noise below and how they play into optimizing your sound space:

White Noise

This popular brand of noise includes all frequencies across the spectrum of sound. These frequencies are played in equal parts in the listener’s ear and are often referred to as “broadband noise .”It uses a mix of sound frequencies to create the static we hear. Some have found white noise helpful for use in the background. Alternatively, white noise can be intense and high-pitched. A reverberating noise like a fan, tv static, an air conditioner, or a vacuum can induce white noise in a space.

Brown or Red Noise

Brown noise (also called red noise), produces a rumbling sound with a deep bass-like sound. The decibels decrease as the frequency increases, not quite like pink noise. Some sleep apps use this type of noise to give the background noise a deeper, grainier effect. In fact, brown noise may help with certain conditions, like ringing in your ears. It may even improve your focus, but more research is needed to determine its effect on the listening ear.

Pink Noise

Pink noise is a constant sound that plays in the background. It filters out other distractions in the background, such as conversations or loud traffic. It is also referred to as ambient noise. Like white noise, it has a steady sound. However, its background hum uses deeper sounds with lower sound waves to make it gentler and more soothing. In short, pink noise has a lower pitch than white noise.

Moreover, pink noise uses a consistent frequency or pitch to create a more even, flat sound that might resemble a calming rainstorm, the whoosh of wind in the leaves, or waves crashing on a beach. Pink noise has added depth and lower waves that filter out high sounds. As a result, pink noise is meant to be a low, steady, relaxing sound for all to hear.

Site Survey

Before starting any great project, it’s crucial to determine your goals. The needs of your space will determine the right course of action and your best plans for equipment installation.

Start with the details. Grab your tape measurer and find your square footage and dimensions. You’ll want to collect a complete scope of your entire floor plan. It’s beneficial to include images of the space you are renovating, as well as exact measurements to identify where sound masking equipment will be most effectively installed.

Then, identify “sound pool” areas. Are there spaces in your plan where there may be sensitive conversation? If so, let’s protect those areas with sound barriers to keep the sound in your intended space. Alternatively, lay out places that may need sound amplified and work to achieve your desired sound goals. Identify any potential obstacles so that you’ll know where to place the sound masking system of your choice. You’ll want each sound masking system placed far enough apart to optimize your pink noise in a given space.

We’ll carefully guide you through each step to guarantee that your staff and consumers get the most out of the sound masking technology. We’ll survey the site or look over the building’s blueprints after a discovery meeting to better understand your demands to design a solution that fits your space. The site survey process will go as follows:

  • Our team will collect any necessary layout or floor plans. We will also photograph any areas modified with sound masking technology.
  • It is essential to have an understanding of both the coverage area and the square footage.
  • We will discuss any specific sensitive conversation areas. Examples include loud conversation, phones ringing, or printers beeping.
  • Our experts will determine the amplifier’s placement and any potential barriers, such as where to place the sound masking devices and how far apart each one is, to achieve the greatest possible pink noise optimization in a particular area.

Install Checklist

The primary purpose of an installation checklist is to ensure that all necessary components of the project are covered and that the installation is carried out smoothly and efficiently. An installation checklist can be customized to suit specific needs and requirements and should be detailed enough to cover even the most minor components. This can include everything from pre-installation preparations to final testing and performance evaluation. Teksetra has a very clear and defined approach to creating their install checklist.

  • Create an outline of the customer’s and Teksetra’s responsibilities.
  • Teksetra will provide clear instructions for your team to introduce the new sound masking to your team.
  • Our team will collect any necessary information about the grid work of the building, HVAC placement, and any electricity requirements.
  • Most importantly, we will thoroughly summarize the job scope and supplies required so your team can comprehend the procedure.

Installation and Maintenance

Teksetra will inform you how to use the technology, test the sound, and when the installation will happen. After we’ve talked about all of these things, our team of professional installers will set up your sound masking solution. Once that’s done, we’ll help you with any repairs, maintenance, or adjustments. Our hardware is made not to need any maintenance, but if something goes wrong, our team is always ready to help.

It’s essential to schedule a check-up visit after the installation is complete. Having our installation experts check on the system and make any necessary adjustments ensures that the sound masking works effectively and efficiently, keeping distractions at bay and productivity high. With regular check-ups, you can be confident that your investment in sound masking technology is the right choice for your workplace.

No matter how well we care for something, maintenance, and repairs might still be needed. That’s where we come in; we’ve got you covered. Our team of experts will work with you to create a personalized plan addressing any maintenance or repair. From routine maintenance to unexpected repairs, we have the tools and knowledge to keep everything running smoothly. Don’t let the thought of maintenance and repairs stress you out; let us take care of them for you.

Finding Your Solutions

At Teksetra, Our straightforward method is intended to provide valuable support to you in identifying the most effective way of sound masking for your company. We will systematically guide you through each stage to guarantee that your workforce and customers will gain the most significant possible advantage from the technology.

Sound masking is your solution to a productive and peaceful work environment. With the power to reduce distractions and offer privacy, it provides myriad benefits for any business. Improving concentration and reducing stress leads to a much more satisfactory working experience. Not to mention, it fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

Whether improving your office acoustics, enhancing your staff’s focus, or creating a calming atmosphere, sound masking is the way to go. Dive into the world of uninterrupted workflow and create the perfect environment for your business today! Contact our team to find out more!

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