Sound Masking

Sound masking is an acoustic strategy that introduces a carefully calibrated ambient background sound into a workspace to reduce the intelligibility and distraction of unwanted noises. Unlike soundproofing, which attempts to block noise transmission, or acoustic panels, which absorb reflected sound within a room, sound masking works by raising the background noise floor with a consistent, unobtrusive sound spectrum that covers and blends with distracting speech, household activity, and environmental noise. The result is a space where interruptions are less noticeable and concentration is easier to maintain. The science behind sound masking relies on the fact that human ears detect sounds based on their contrast with the background level. When the ambient noise floor is very low, even quiet sounds like a distant conversation or closing door become noticeable and distracting. By introducing a gentle, broadband sound that mimics natural airflow or rainfall, sound masking reduces this contrast and renders previously distracting noises imperceptible. For home offices situated in busy households, near street traffic, or in apartments with thin walls, sound masking can be transformative for focus and concentration without requiring any physical modification to the space.