Why the Quietest Offices Aren’t Actually the Most Productive

Sound is one of the most underestimated factors in office performance. According to some studies roughly one-third of workers are dissatisfied with acoustic conditions in their workplace. The consequences are measurable. Poor acoustics can cause workers to be less happy and less productive. Background noise can lead to as much as a 66% drop in productivity, making it a bigger workplace distraction than social media or other commonly cited productivity drains.

The relationship between sound and cognitive performance has been studied extensively, and the findings consistently point to the same conclusion. Excessive noise impairs concentration, increases stress hormones, and reduces the ability to perform complex tasks. But recent research has revealed something counterintuitive. The problem isn’t just too much noise. It’s also too little. A University of Arizona study found that offices below 50 decibels create stress responses just as high as offices that are too loud. The sweet spot sits around 50-55 decibels, comparable to moderate rainfall or soft conversation.

   ...more

RSK: You need a balance of noise and reduction. It depends on the task at hand. Interesting article.