As if business owners didn’t have enough to worry about, an overwhelming amount of research suggests that the sound quality of a room also impacts bottom lines. This is a trend seen across the board, from hospitals to restaurants to retail outlets. In almost all cases, it’s clear that poor acoustics affect productivity and drive customers away.
Unfortunately, this is not an easy problem to identify or fix. In fact, it’s one that often goes unnoticed until it starts costing the company.
How expensive can it get? In this article, we’ll take you through the hidden costs of poor acoustics and explain why all business owners must invest in professional soundproofing and acoustic treatment solutions.
The Hidden Cost of Poor Acoustics
Nobody likes noise. Whether it’s the drilling from a construction site or the sound coming out of a neighbor’s TV, unwanted sounds can drive even the sanest person up the wall. For businesses and employees, one of the biggest culprits of noise is poor acoustics. A room with bad sound can impact communication, productivity, and overall well-being. Here’s a breakdown of the various hidden costs.
Productivity Loss
One of the most significant consequences of poor acoustics in offices and workplaces is productivity loss. Research has shown that employees who work in noisy environmentshave a harder time concentrating, leading to a decline in overall output.
A study by the American Society of Interior Designers, meanwhile, reported that 70% of employees said they were distracted by noise in the workplace.
When employees are interrupted by unwanted sounds, their ability to focus on complex tasks or do high-quality work diminishes. Acoustic treatment for offices or basic soundproofing methods are a solid solution to improving productivity levels.
At the same time, distractions from background noise also reduce the ability to get things done at home. It’s harder to clean, cook, and take care of yourself — even if it isn’t immediately apparent that sound is causing the problem.
Health Consequences
The effects of poor acoustics go beyond productivity and also impact health outcomes.
In fact, prolonged exposure to noise is known to trigger a range of dangerous symptoms. Employees who work in environments with poor acoustics are more likely to be stressed, tired, or even suffer from hearing damage. Studies have shown that exposure to noise also increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Additionally, there are psychological effects of being surrounded by noise. Poor acoustics causes anxiety and frustration, which, in turn, results in much higher burnout levels. For professionals who prioritize their employees’ health and retention, addressing business noise control is not a luxury—it’s a crucial responsibility.
Customer Experience & Business Reputation
In the hospitality and retail industry, customer satisfaction and noise levels are deeply intertwined. Poor acoustics in restaurants or hotels drive customers away, attract negative reviews, and hurt reputations. Its impact on sales is undeniable, too. In fact,research has indicated that even noise levels slightly above 70 reduce the likelihood of customers making purchases.
In restaurants, poor acoustics makes it harder for customers to hear servers, harder for chefs to concentrate, and — as you’d imagine — doesn’t make for a pleasant dining experience. By investing in acoustic treatment for restaurants and other commercial spaces, business owners can benefit from higher satisfaction rates and increased loyalty.
Which Spaces Have Poor Acoustics?
Because sound interacts differently in various environments, any type of room could suffer from poor acoustics. But some of the biggest offenders include:
Home Offices
Since the pandemic, a large number of employees decided to work out of their homes.While this may have unlocked some benefits, homes that haven’t been treated for sound are unlikely to give employees the peace of mind they need.
Bad sound quality in a room can disrupt meetings and video calls — as well as impact concentration levels. Even the most innocent sounds — such as the tapping of a keyboard — can have a considerable impact.
Professional acoustic treatment solutions — such as acoustic panels — are the only way to improve sound quality within a room and build a more productive environment.
Restaurants
In the hospitality sector, noise levels can make or break a customer’s experience. But despite this being common knowledge, a Consumer Report study finds that excessive noise remains one of the top complaints across restaurants in the U.S. And the blame for this, more often than not, falls on poor acoustics within the dining area.
By employing certain soundproofing solutions for restaurants, owners can improve the ambiance of a space and enhance the overall customer experience.
Entertainment Venues
From a sound perspective, designing an entertainment venue is a tricky job. Whether it’s an auditorium, theater, or stadium, without specific acoustic treatment measures, the noise can be unbearable. Moreover, the noise that spills over to the outside doesn’t do much to appease the neighbors.
How Professional Acoustic Solutions Can Help
Now that we’ve identified the issue, let’s take a closer look at the solutions.
Most businesses will find that there are two approaches to improving sound quality in a space — soundproofing and acoustic treatment.
- Soundproofing involves isolating a space from outside noise. This is particularly helpful in areas where traffic or construction sounds can be disruptive.
- Acoustic treatment involves adjusting the acoustics within a room to optimize sound quality. This can include installing fabric-wrapped acoustic panels, bass traps, or diffusers to reduce echo, reverberation, and other pesky sounds.
But that’s just an overview. In most cases, business owners will require a custom solution based on their space. For example, an office could use a combination of acoustic panels, rugs, and room dividers to ensure that there are no possible distractions from the inside. Restaurants, on the other hand, could use various soundproofing solutions to reduce noise coming in from the streets outside.
Give Us a Call to Evolve Your Space
Are you wondering what the perfect solution is to deal with noise in your space?
Whether you’re a business owner, manager, hospitality professional, or an employee working from home, Evolve Acoustics has a solution that works for you.
Our acoustic treatments, soundproofing solutions, and custom-made panel boards blend aesthetic and function perfectly — ensuring they don’t look out of place in any kind of commercial establishment while also having a significant impact on productivity, employee well-being, and customer satisfaction.
Book a consultation today, and we’ll help you find the perfect solution.
