Sound Masking To Prevent Eavesdropping: How Does It Work?

Meeting rooms can be the place of collaboration, everyday communication, and exchanges of information. But they are also spaces where confidential, private or sensitive conversations are held. The modern-day office is often based on an open-plan design, with meeting rooms separated by glass or prefab walls. If you have a modular office space, you may even have a few meeting pods. While these have their benefits, there is a risk of eavesdropping due to a lack of sufficient sound insulation.

When is eavesdropping or overhearing at work a problem?

Even if you’re holding a meeting with internal managers and directors, if you’re discussing sensitive business news, this shouldn’t be overheard by those walking past the door of the meeting room. If you regularly host high-profile clients or stakeholders, you’ll want to make sure that the information discussed stays behind closed doors.

Employees can also overhear conversations if they’re working close to the meeting room. They’re not actively listening in, but they can end up tuning in to information they’re not supposed to. This could become particularly awkward if they overhear a private conversation concerning one of their colleagues.

In fact, in our Noise and Wellbeing at Work Survey we found that 64% of employees in larger companies have felt anxious about being overheard at work. Meanwhile, 77% of employees working for large corporate companies reported that being overheard in the workplace was a privacy issue.

How can sound masking help?

The good news is that you don’t have to completely redesign your office space or install sound proofing material inside the walls. Sound Masking is an effective acoustic technology that raises the level of background ambient sound to make speech between rooms unintelligible. This means you, your employees and your external visitors, can speak with confidence without worrying about eavesdropping.

Speech is masked and therefore won’t be overheard, even if you have thin walls. The acoustic frequency can be adapted to suit the level of privacy you require for your office.

If you would like to find out more about Sound Masking installations to prevent eavesdropping, contact the expert team at Remark to book your demonstration.