The Soundmask Blog

  • How does sound masking work?

    How does sound masking work?

    Sound masking works by adding a background sound to a space. This is usually because background sound levels are too low. A simple example of a masking sound is a radio or television. Indeed, some doctors offices use a radio to create speech privacy. The sound of the radio reduces the intelligibility of the speech.…

  • Acoustic Stability: The Missing Link in Hospital Health and Safety

    Acoustic Stability: The Missing Link in Hospital Health and Safety

    In the demanding environment of a medical facility, noise is more than just a byproduct of a busy floor—it is a critical factor in hospital health and safety. While we often focus on hygiene and physical hazards, the auditory environment plays a massive role in the accuracy of care and the wellbeing of the people providing…

  • Amanda Robinson Interview

    Amanda Robinson Interview

    Welcome back to our acoustic consultants interview series. Today we’re interviewing Amanda Robinson who joins us from her new consultancy the Acoustic Design Collective in Scotland. Amanda brings over 20 years of global expertise in acoustic strategies to create world-class sound environments. She is accredited as a Professional Engineer by Professional Engineers Ontario and a…

  • Is Sound Masking Safe?

    Is Sound Masking Safe?

    When organisations consider acoustic treatments for their offices or medical facilities, one of the first questions asked is: “Is sound masking safe?” Whether it’s for a corporate headquarters or a sensitive healthcare environment, ensuring the wellbeing of staff, clients, and even infants is a top priority. The short answer is yes. Soundmask systems are specifically engineered to…

  • Circadian Rhythm: How Your Sleep Environment Impacts Heart Health and Cognition

    Circadian Rhythm: How Your Sleep Environment Impacts Heart Health and Cognition

    In the quiet of the night, our bodies are hard at work. While we sleep, our systems undergo a complex restorative process that regulates everything from cognitive function to cardiovascular health. However, as recent research suggests, the “when” and “how” of our sleep are just as critical as the “how long.” The Body Clock and Heart Health A…

  • Geoffrey Harris Interview

    Geoffrey Harris Interview

    Welcome back to our acoustic consultants interview series. Today we’re interviewing Geoffrey Harris who is a Director at Herring Storer Acoustics in Perth. Welcome Geoff, please tell our readers a little about yourself… Hi, I’m Geoff, and I’ve been an Acoustic Consultant (now Director) with Herring Storer Acoustics for 15 years now. I’m the company’s…

  • Enhancing Privacy for Hume City Council’s Maternal & Child Health Nurse Suites

    Enhancing Privacy for Hume City Council’s Maternal & Child Health Nurse Suites

    Providing essential support and health checks for new parents and their children, the Maternal & Child Health Nurse (MCHN) services at Hume City Council are a vital community resource. When the Council refurbished its MCHN suites at the Aitken Hill and Greenvale sites, the goal was to create a modern, high-quality environment for these sensitive consultations.…

  • The Biological Cost of Noise

    The Biological Cost of Noise

    Recent environmental health research published in Nature (2024) has provided a sobering look at a silent epidemic: the impact of chronic noise on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. While the study focuses on urban stressors, the implications for the modern office are profound. Unmanaged sound isn’t just a distraction, it acts as a persistent biological stressor that triggers cortisol…

  • Why AI Sound Management Isn’t the Answer: The Case for a Static Acoustic Floor

    Why AI Sound Management Isn’t the Answer: The Case for a Static Acoustic Floor

    The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has reached the world of acoustics. Industry discussions highlight a shift toward AI-powered sound management—systems that use sensors to detect spikes in office noise and adjust sound masking levels in real-time. On the surface, a system that “thinks” and reacts to a loud conversation or a ringing phone seems…

  • The Silent Epidemic: Why We Need Better Urban Noise Pollution Solutions

    The Silent Epidemic: Why We Need Better Urban Noise Pollution Solutions

    In the hustle and bustle of modern Australian cities, we often focus on what we can see: the skyline, the traffic, and the new developments. However, there is an invisible pollutant that is increasingly impacting our well-being: urban noise pollution. At Soundmask, we’ve always maintained that the acoustic environment is just as critical to health…

  • Luke Zoontjens interview

    Luke Zoontjens interview

    At Soundmask, we regularly spend time with acoustic consultants. They’re an interesting and talented bunch of engineers who often get taken for granted. So we’re starting an interview series to dig a little deeper into their world. Today, we’re interviewing Luke Zoontjens who works at SLR Consulting in Perth. Luke has provided engineering consulting services…

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