Sound masking is a technique used to make unwanted sound inaudible, providing privacy and comfort. It can be achieved through integrated systems or self-contained loudspeakers, using natural or artificial sounds. It is used in various settings, including offices and bedrooms, and can be adjusted to meet specific needs.
Sound masking is a technique used to make unwanted sound inaudible, making people more comfortable. There are a number of uses for this, ranging from making an open plan office more private and comfortable to work in to making it easier for people to sleep in noisy environments. Several methods can be employed to achieve the technique, ranging from using integrated systems in a building to using self-contained loudspeakers for direct field masking.
This noise reduction technique is achieved by reproducing a coherent and harmonious background sound that drowns out unwanted noise. For an example of how sound masking works, a person could imagine standing in a kitchen with running water and trying to hear a conversation in the next room. The noise of the conversation is still present, but the sound of the water overwhelms it. The same principle applies to acoustic masking systems.
Sounds of both natural and artificial origin can be used to mask sound. The sound is usually unobtrusive and designed to be smooth and pleasant. If people listen to it, they may hear it, but they get used to the noise quickly, with most people not realizing that a masking system is in use. Systems that project noise through loudspeakers mounted in or from the ceiling are common in large facilities, and it is also possible to install individual loudspeakers or white noise machines to control noise pollution in smaller rooms.
People use sound masking for a variety of things. Privacy is often an issue, with this technique ensuring that the sounds of private conversations cannot be overheard. It can also be used to muffle sound in a noisy environment so people can focus and concentrate, or so that sounds don’t create interference. Call centers, for example, use call masking so phone conversations don’t overlap.
Typically, a system is adjustable. The nature of the sound can be changed, as can the volume level and directionality of speakers or sound masking devices. Companies that specialize in installing these systems can configure them and set base levels and provide tuning information to meet specific needs. People can also install their own sound masking systems, and if the need arises, a crude technique such as installing a fountain or playing a recording of white noise on a stereo system can be used.
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