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01
May 2013

Sound Masking for Social Breaches of Etiquette

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Two Facebook posts from the past few days on my news feed:

The latest Barnes and Noble shenanigan: the lady next to me is reading her e-mail out loud. Listen, lady- I feel that I should warn you. You are sitting next to an aspiring author. Anything you say can and will be used in a novel if I like it.

Question of etiquette: Forcing people around you to listen to your half of a phone call when they have no way to avoid listening- bad manners or social norm?
The Sonet is the best individual sound machine for individual desktop or home use.

The Sonet is the best individual sound machine for individual desktop or home use.

I was annoyed with my friends and also amused at what people do so blatantly, so publicly.  Interestingly, people do not limit their open conversations to social settings.  Often, maybe even more frequently, they share their personal lives at work, which can be embarrassing, damaging, irritating, and at the very least, inappropriate.  It’s awkward to be on the receiving end of a phone call not intended for you, and it is just as awkward for the person not intending to impart this information but had nowhere else to go to have this conversation.

There are two main solutions for this breach of etiquette:
  1. Sound Machine
  2. Sound Masking System

While one might argue that social norms dictate better habits, we all know that people will be people, which at times, can just be obnoxious.  Thus, in a work environment, your go-to resource is white noise.  That’s because it’s the practical choice for tuning out unwanted noise and still being polite.  White noise comes in two major forms, as noted above.  A sound machine is helpful for individuals battling distractions, while a sound masking system is for larger areas prone to louder office noise.  Both are effective, just for different-sized spaces and numbers of users.

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06
Dec 2012

The Importance of Understanding Speech Privacy

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Hide & Seek

Have you ever played  hide and seek with a small child?  They have this funny habit of thinking that if they can’t see you, you can’t see them. Their whole body can be in view, but they’ve covered their eyes with a blanket and think they’re invisible!  Besides their own giggling, they give themselves away by not realizing that just because they can’t see you does not mean you can’t see them.  We laugh at their childish foolishness, yet as adults, we often make the same mistake….just with noise.  We assume that if we can’t hear something or someone, then that person can’t hear us.  Usually, we’re wrong.

For example, the other evening, my family and I were at some new acquaintenances’ home for dinner.  As is every mother’s custom, my mom decides to tell us everything she knows about the people, including some sensitive medical records in order to help us better understand some awkward situations.  As helpful as this information may have been, say in the car, it was not appropriate in their home.  Because the family was behind a partition, my mom mistakenly assumed that out of sight meant out of ear shot.  Sigh.  Fortunately, no real harm was done, but I shushed her nonetheless and gave her a tardy lesson on white noise and who benefits.

Establishing Speech Privacy

Speech privacy is a commodity- it’s not easily attained without being intentional, that is.  It can be achieved with a little effort, though.  It’s not that homes need to offer it for dinner guests, but businesses and medical practices could certainly benefit from fewer overheard conversations.  The benefit is twofold:

The idea is that by placing white noise in the right spots, people are less able to understand those around them or be understood themselves.  A sound machine works for smaller areas, such as a cubicle or small office.  Sound masking systems use the same white noise sound machines do, just on a larger scale.  It is ideal for zoned areas in offices or facilities so that more than one person is protected and the result of the benefits.  People can speak without worrying about being overheard; simultaneously, fewer people are distracted.  A huge positive is that this is all accomplished without change to the building or much white noise.

Distractions and a lack of confidentiality are a real threat for many facilities and businesses.  Sound masking, even individual sound machines, can go a long way in protecting sensitive information

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06
Nov 2012

Sound Masking for Hotels

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Avoiding Noise

People generally get excited about vacations, looking forward to a little “R & R,” as they say.  Some even enjoy traveling for work and getting away from the usual rut and the cubicle in the middle of it.  They may also enjoy a break from noisy co-workers, right?  But what happens when they follow you?  Okay, maybe it’s not your exact fellow cubicle dwellers, but it might as well be.  Every hotel has the same kind of guests: those who forget they’re not at home and make a racket at all hours of the evening.  It may be loud keys in the door, or going up and down in the elevator, or a baby who doesn’t sleep through the night, or drunken craziness, or a dinging elevator…whatever it is, it kills any chance you have at waking up refreshed or feeling ready to work.  Even if you request a room far away from elevators, you can’t exactly request, ‘Could you please give me a nice barrier from any and all partiers, please?”  Thus, it may feel as if every stay away from home is a gamble noise-wise.

A More Effective Move

A good night of sleep is just a plug {or a few batteries} away!

I have two suggestions for more effectively avoiding noise.  Rather than try to geographically move oneself, why not take advantage of  sound masking, or the use of white noise to cover unwanted noise.  Essentially, this structured, uniform sound {white noise} masks the unstructured, annoying, sleep-depriving sound{s} so often found in hotels, be it barking dogs, loud guests, elevator dings, blaring TVs, crying babies, or street noise.  Here are two ways to use sound masking; the first is for management, while the second is for guests.

  • Sound Masking System.  Hotel owners or managers can easily, quickly, and affordably install a sound masking system for various zones of the hotel.  Since some rooms may be more likely to experience noise {those adjacent to elevators, for example}, it might be reasonable to have a zone for that area.  You can’t control for loud guests or where they stay, but you might as well try to deal with predictable noise.
  • Sound Machines.  Some people sleep straight through the night without issue {such as my children}.  However, most of us adults have trouble letting go of the worries of the world, especially when there’s a persistent, disturbing noise.  Thus, I believe it’s wise to carry a portable sound machine with you when on the road.  Thus, even if you’re close to loud hallways, you can still enjoy a peaceful and good night of sleep.

If you travel a lot, or even have a single trip coming up, and are worried about getting enough sleep, try taking a portable sound machine with you.

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11
Oct 2012

Why I Use a Sound Machine Instead of a Fan

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When we had our first baby, I quickly became a fan of my fan {pun intended}.  I found that my ultra-social baby could hear the carpet crunch.  Seriously.  If something fun was going on, she did not want to miss it.  That said, I found myself tip-toeing around during nap time and at night.  I would cringe when the phone rang, and Lord forbid if someone unexpected came by and the dog started barking!  Thus, I found a floor fan down in the basement, blew it off, plugged it in, and turned it on for sleep times.

Six years later, I use a sound machine and not a fan.  My friends ask me why.  So, here goes.  Basically, both a fan and a sound machine function on the basis of white noise, the idea that a consistent hum helps the brain tune out unwanted noise.  Here are three simple reasons I prefer a sound machine.

This portable sound machine fits in your hand and comes with plug adapters for other countriesFans have cords that can be tripped on or, horribly, be wrapped around children’s necks.

  • Fans have cords, which can trip or get tangled around children.
  • Fans are big and bulky and change the aesthetic feel of the room.
  • Fans move dust mites, which can be problematic for allergies.

In contrast:

  • Sound machines do have cords, but can be battery-run as well, thus avoiding potential danger.
  • Sound machines are small and desktop and barely noticed in any room.
  • Sound machines do not affect allergies in that they do not move air.
Thus, since having children, we switched to safer, just as effective sound machines.  Our kids can’t get caught up in the cords and if they have allergies, won’t be affected.  Plus, when we’re on the road, or just napping the baby at someone else’s house, a portable sound machine is so much easier to take with us.

 

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11
Sep 2012

From Mom to Mom: Top 2 Sound Machines

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Usually, I write about office privacy solutions…seems to work well with the title and all.  However, some of us work from home, or even in the home as moms.  Whether we actually get a paycheck or not from our work at home, as moms, it’s our business to make sure kids sleep well {so we can also sleep and get everything else we need to done}.   If you’re a mom, you know exactly what I’m talking about- the juggling act of balancing domestic duties and even job responsibilities can be pretty challenging.  That’s probably why I’ve been asked by no less than 3 friends on Facebook which white noise machine I use and why I like it.  I actually recommend 2.

Sound Oasis Travel

This is my go-to sound machine.  I have used it in our own bedroom, as well as for the kids.  There are 18 different sound choices, though my husband is fairly committed to the “white noise” option because of its uniformity.  I prefer some of the other more natural sounds when it’s just me.  The kids have even used it to play to simulate rain or trains or animals!  I keep this one in my room now because I like the backlit clock (bright enough to see, but dim enough to not be annoying as we sleep) because it helps me orient myself in the middle of the night when a child calls out.  I also like that I can adjust the volume so I can still hear the kids when I need to (at night), but not when I don’t need to (for my own naps when my husband is watching them!).

  • Why I love it:  Ease of use; portability; ability to be used internationally.  It comes with a carrying case and various adapters.  Can be run with batteries or with a cord.
  • How I use it: For sleep, either for us or one of the kids

Free Online White Noise Generator

My next pick is for people who just aren’t sure if white noise is “for them”.  It’s a free online white noise generator that you can play with while you work or run during a nap.  Since it has a time limit, I recommend using it for smaller chunks of time, like a work session or a nap.   While there are some fantastic sound machines for office use on the market {such as the Sonet}, most moms are splurging just to get a machine for baby.  And since baby uses it during the day for naps, mom can’t exactly bogart it for her own use.  Hence, the free generator.
  • Why I Love it: It’s FREE!  You can try out white noise and see if it’s for you.
  • How I use it: For work time or relaxation.
Thus, if you’re a mom or care giver needing kids to sleep better or a little time of your own, there’s a sound machine for you.
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16
Aug 2012

Fighting Distraction with White Noise

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Looking for Distraction

White noise helps you stay fresh and focused.

It’s time to work, you know it, yet you’re goofing off online or on your smart phone.  I mean, what if you miss an important message or update?  Could you live with yourself if your best friend’s cousin’s boyfriend drank a cup of coffee and you didn’t know about it?  What about what all their friends say about said cup of coffee?  It would be pretty devastating to miss out on all that pertinent information.

In all seriousness, though, how often do you find yourself intentionally letting your mind wander because you know you’re not focused?  I don’t think I’m alone in saying that it happens multiple times a day.  In fact, I know I’m not because the average worker is distracted more than 2 hours a day.  So, here’s the deal- there are all kinds of distractions, both external and internal, and both are difficult to control or keep in check at work.  When you ass your own constant social media tendencies, you’re toast for the day.  An under-utilized resource is white noise.  Instead of using it as a sleep aid, you can use it to tune out distractions and stay focused.

Full disclosure: white noise does not can not tune out Facebook, etc.  But it does help you keep your mind trained on work tasks so you can more easily guard yourself against it and against noisy co-workers.  If you’re ready to try it out, there are a number of white noise generators, aka sound machines, available.  You can always try this free white noise generator to see if you like it and if it helps you stay focused, less distracted, and therefore more productive.

 

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09
Aug 2012

How to Use White Noise at Home & at Work

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White Noise

White noise is an amazing concept.  It’s the idea of using lots of different sounds to cover unwanted ones.  You know how when you were  a kid and your family took a car trip…usually, Mom and Dad were in the front seat and you were in the back seat.  As they chatted up front, you could hear them talking, but often {and annoyingly} couldn’t understand what they were saying.  Thus, you tuned them out and did your own thing, most likely sleeping until you arrived wherever you were going.  The same is true for white noise.  It achieves what is called speech privacy, meaning speech has been rendered unintelligible and thus not that distracting.  As a result, there are a variety of ways to use white noise.  Many turn on a sound machine to fall asleep, while others employ white noise to be more productive.

Sleep.

  • The Sonet is the best individual sound machine for desktop or home use.

    Adults.  Whether you need help falling asleep or staying asleep, there are several sound machines to help.  The Night Wave helps you fall asleep, while almost any sound machine can help you tune out noise.

  • Kids. I use sound machines for my kids for so many different reasons: sleep training, sharing a room, sleeping in a hotel or at a different place, etc.  I find that they settle more quickly, don’t awaken to every sound they hear, including each other, and they appreciate the routine.  For my babies, I think the sound machine signals that it’s sleep time and is such an easy portable way to keep that routine anywhere.  Thus, I like portable machines for them.

Work.

Noise and conversational distraction is the enemy of productivity.  Thus, it’s important to cover work noise, too.

  • Sound machines like the Sonet are great for desktop applications.  Instead of helping you tune out noise so you can sleep, this time the application is to tune out noise so you can focus.  Workers are distracted more than 2 hours every day, so getting rid of that distraction is essential.
  • Sound Masking Systems like the VoiceArrest are a great way for offices to cover noise in a broader way, ie for multiple areas instead of individuals.
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02
Nov 2011

Sound Machines for Better, More Restful Sleep

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We just moved flats, aka apartments, and once again, I am so happy we held onto our sound machines.  We’re not bad sleepers, and the kids are getting older, so it was tempting to think we might not want them.  However, now that we live next door to {and share a wall with} college-aged students, we’re pretty glad we held onto them.  Music with a strong bass line starts anywhere between 9pm and 2am.  We live on a busy street, so passers-by and cars contribute noise at any time.  In addition to outside noise, the kids are getting used to their new shared room, and to top it off, are getting over jet lag from our last over-seas trip.  That means they wake up at all kind of weird hours for about a week, and since they’re both going to new schools, sleepless nights are not really an option.  For all these reasons in just the past week, I am so incredibly glad we had some white noise to block all the extra noises so we could all get some semi-normal rest.

Sound machines really are clutch in these situations.  I know some people worry that once they get used to using one for sleep purposes, they won’t be able to sleep without one.  I personally have not had that problem, nor have my children.  We just use them to cover noise.  If there’s not noise to cover, we don’t use it.  It’s as simple as that.  I have found that varying sounds at home, and especially on the road when traveling, really mess up sleep.  I am not a woman who can function on too little sleep.  Thus, I will forever keep a sound machine {or two…or three} around for a while.

While I’m at it, I’d like to recommend a portable sound machine- that way you can travel with it for yourself and for your kids, or just move it around the house or to a friend’s place for kids’ naps, etc.  Having a battery option, as well as adapters is great for home, work, and travel.  Most portable machines are quite small and very lightweight, too, making them an easy addition to a carry-on bag or even a handbag.

Sleep is precious- using a sound machine can preserve your night time rest in spite of ambient noise.

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17
Oct 2011

Distractions & How Sound Machines Help

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Distractions & Sound Machines

I’d ask if you are distracted at work, but I already know the answer- of course you are.  The average worker is distracted more than 2 hours everyday.  The good news is that this applies to almost all worker,s not just slackers.  So, don’t feel too badly about yourself.  However, the bad news is that the toll distraction takes is still the same, whether it’s your own fault or not.  Being distracted 2 out of 8 or 9 hours a day is a massive hit on your productivity any way you look at it.  Besides setting some personal boundaries and maybe having some tough boundaries with colleagues, there is something you can do that can help you literally tune out many distractions: a sound machine.

Unlike music, the white noise employed by sound machines doesn’t add to the distraction (have you ever unconsciously typed the lyrics to a song in an email or work document?). Instead, it drowns out background noise so that you can focus on work instead of co-worker chatter or gossip. In addition, sound machines aren’t just a nice idea or experiment or latest toy to play with- studies show that they can help you keep your focus and feel less stressed.  More specifically, studies have found that offices that utilized white noise showed an average of 48% improvement in their ability to focus on tasks, a 51% improvement in elimination of distractions (especially overheard conversations), and a 27% improvement in lowered stress levels.

  • A small portable option for a white noise machine is the Sound Oasis Travel White Noise Therapy System.  I like to think of this as the Mighty Mouse of the sound machines. It is tiny in stature, but can beat up all the big distractions keeping you from doing what you are supposed to be doing–working. Even better, since it’s portable, you can take it home with you to help you get better sleep at night.

  • If you don’t want a portable option, the Sound Oasis Deluxe Office White Noise System is a nice option. It’s not as small as the travel sound machine, but it does have a lot more features, including 20 main sounds & 5 mix sounds create 120 sound environment possibilities.
  • If you aren’t convinced and would just like to try it out, you could try a free online white noise generator. Just keep it open in a background browser window and you’ll be well on your way to working–without as much distraction and stress.

Sound machines have been shown to improve focus and tune out distraction.  It’s an easy fix for a costly problem at work.

 

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12
Oct 2011

5 Reasons You Need a Sound Machine

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There are many irritations in life.  For me, one of the more frustrating irritations is noise, unwanted noise.  It may sound silly, but I have 2 children, one on the way, and I am surrounded by noise all the time by the nature of my role as mother.  I find by the end of the day, the last thing I want is to hear my neighbor’s dog or passers-by on the street.  I can’t even tolerate loud movies or music.  My ears are just too tired.  Thus, I am a huge fan of sound masking technology and everything to do with it.  Interestingly, for sound masking to work properly, you have to add noise to deal with all the unwanted noise.  Counter-intuitive to be sure.  However, sound masking focuses on covering unwanted noise with white noise which uses a diversity of sound from the sound spectrum.  The result is that the brain can’t focus on one specific irritating sound and is freed from its irritation.

5 Ways to Use Sound Masking

1. For work. The average worker (including you!) is distracted up to 2 hours every day.  This distraction usually comes in the form of conversational distraction.  Thus, an individual sound machine on your desk (or even this free online generator) is great for tuning out this kind of noise. Better yet, sound masking throughout the office space can provide this benefit to the entire office.

2. For sleep. This is one of my favorite ways to use white noise.  I hate lying in bed, listening to the wind howl or car doors slam on the street. Using a sound machine next to your bed will mask the annoying sounds from neighbors or street noise, helping you sleep better and stay asleep with fewer interruptions.

3. For kids. Sound machines can work wonders with kid’s sensitive sleep schedules. Maybe your children are sharing a room for the first time, or you want them to easily sleep through the noise of your dinner party. White noise can ensure good, uninterrupted sleep for your little ones, which means better sleep for you, too.

4. For relaxation. After a long day at work, you want to come home to relax and unwind, but a barking dog across the street is interrupting your reverie. You can relax to the sounds of nature found on many household sound machines. Enjoy the sound of the sea as you sit down to read a good book.

5. For tinnitus. Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus can be very distracting and uncomfortable. The irritation caused by tinnitus can be lessened though the use of sound therapy, letting you relax.

A sound machine provides a more focused environment, free of intrusive and distracting noise. This can increase your productivity at work, or provide you with a more restful night’s sleep. Sound masking can also be utilized throughout a open office space to provide better productivity and confidentiality for everyone. Try sound masking for yourself, and begin enjoying the benefits of improved concentration and better sleep!

 

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