ENHANCED WELL-BEING THROUGH BETTER ROOM ACOUSTICS

Acoustic Lights

Noise from printers, photocopiers, telephones or keyboards is unavoidable in everyday office life. However, modern companies are implementing soundproofing measures to maintain productivity and protect employees' health against noise stress. Why? Because noise stress can result in employee performance dropping by up to 10%. One of the most efficient ways to combat this is by implementing sound-absorbing acoustic lights.

Forms of noise

Aural noise effects

Acoustic trauma rarely occurs in everyday office life, but in occupational work, e.g. construction work, it’s a daily hazard that can affect workers.

Extra-aural noise effects

This is a stress reaction to excessive noise levels that reduces performance and affects health. This form of noise trauma occurs most frequently in everyday office life.

Cocktail party effect

Inadequate sound suppression ensures that personal conversations are also heard. When there is a lack of acoustic privacy, you constantly feel "overheard".

Legal requirements

There are legal requirements that protect workers from noise exposure in Ireland. When the sound level is between 80dB(A) and 85dB(A) employers must assess the risk to their workers' health and provide them with information, hearing checks, trainings as well as advice on wearing hearing protection. When the noise exposure is at the 85dB (A), employers must put in place a programme to reduce the noise level, provide the services of a registered medical practitioner to carry out hearing checks and audiometric testing and put up signs indicating that the noise level in the area is likely to exceed 85dB (A).

Sound pressure levels of > 55 dB are perceived as annoying
At > 70 dB, the voice quality suffers
In offices, the background noise level should not exceed 30-45 dB
In industrial workplaces, background noise levels of 65-70 dB are unavoidable

The most significant noise pollution in the office comes from electronic devices and the workers themselves. With a good office layout and high-quality acoustic lamps, you can ensure better room acoustics and higher employee satisfaction.

Places of use for acoustic lamps

There are several ways to reduce noise in the office (see below for other measures). Also, acoustic dampening is vital in public spaces, like restaurants. Acoustic lights are a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution as they combine lighting and sound absorption by having a body made of sound-absorbing materials, such as felt.