The Open Office Noise Problem
Modern open-plan offices are designed for collaboration, but they come with a major downside-excessive noise. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to concentrate due to multiple conversations, ringing phones, or echoey meeting rooms, you’re not alone. Studies show that office noise is a leading cause of stress and reduced productivity.
Common Noise Complaints in Offices
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Too many people talking at once – employees raise their voices to be heard, making the space even louder.
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Zoom and phone calls – people naturally speak louder on calls, disrupting those nearby.
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Sterile office designs – too many hard surfaces (white walls, glass, and ceiling tiles) create echoes.
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Echoey meeting rooms – a small group of people can sound like twenty.
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Companies want to reduce remote work – but employees resist coming back due to the distracting office noise.
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Low concentration = low productivity – employees struggle to focus, leading to mistakes and lower efficiency.
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Noise-canceling headphones are banned – leaving employees with no way to reduce distractions.
How Office Noise Costs Your Business Money
A loud, distracting workspace hurts productivity and employee well-being, which can impact your bottom line. Research shows:
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Productivity drops by up to 66% in noisy environments (Jensen et al., 2022).
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Employees lose up to 86 minutes per day due to noise distractions (Banbury & Berry, 2005).
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Increased stress and burnout – workers in noisy offices report higher stress levels and job dissatisfaction.
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Lower employee retention – a frustrating office environment can drive workers to quit.
Meeting Room with dbsorb's decosorb Acoustic Panels at Booster Financial Services in Wellington CBD.
Are Acoustic Panels Worth It?
Yes! Many business owners assume acoustic solutions are too expensive or non-essential, but investing in noise reduction actually saves money in the long run. Here’s why:
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Higher Productivity: Employees work more efficiently with fewer distractions.
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Better Employee Retention: A comfortable workspace keeps employees happy and engaged.
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Professional Meeting Rooms: Clients and executives won’t struggle to hear in calls or in-person meetings.
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Enhanced Office Aesthetics: Acoustic panels come in stylish designs that upgrade your office decor.
Why Acoustic Panels may be your Best Option
Unlike noise-canceling headphones (which aren’t always allowed) or expensive renovations, acoustic panels provide a cost-effective, long-term solution. They absorb excess sound, reducing echo and background noise to create a calmer, more focused workspace.
ANZ Adelaide Offices with dbsorb's timber printed acoustic panels installed to reduce reverberation while visually enhancing the work space.
What Makes Our Acoustic Panels Different?
Many competitors glue their panels permanently to the walls, making them difficult to remove with minimal damage. Our panels, however, use a DIY glue-free system, which means they are:
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Easy to install & uninstall – perfect for flexible office layouts.
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Non-permanent – ideal for leased office spaces.
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Sleek & modern – available in stylish colours and textures to complement your office aesthetic.
Where to Use Acoustic Panels in Your Office
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Open Office Spaces – reduce overall noise levels and improve speech clarity.
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Meeting Rooms – eliminate echo for better communication.
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Phone Booths & Private Call Areas – prevent sound from leaking out.
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Breakout Spaces – create quieter, more comfortable collaborative areas.
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Executive Offices – enhance privacy and concentration.
The Bottom Line: A Quieter Office = A More Productive Business
If your office is too loud, it’s not just an inconvenience - it’s costing your business money. Acoustic panels offer an affordable, effective, and flexible way to reduce noise, improve productivity, and create a better work environment for everyone.
