There is nothing like being on a flight from L.A to New York and having the humm of the planes engines ringing in your head. You pull out your iPod and it is still there. What can you do?
One option is using noise cancelling headphones. They use a technology call soundmasking. What is soundmasking?
While the term has evolved into the single word “soundmasking”, all three terms; “masking sound”, “sound masking” (two words),
and “soundmasking” are grammatically correct.
Sometimes confused for “white noise” and “pink noise”, sound masking is a low-level,broadband sound precisely contoured to mask (cover up) unwanted background noise and distracting speech.
Sound masking is the addition of natural or artificial sound of a different frequency (more commonly though less-accurately known as “white noise” or “pink noise“) into an environment to “mask” or cover-up unwanted sound by using auditory masking. This is in contrast to the technique of active noise control. Sound masking reduces or eliminates awareness of pre-existing sounds in a given area and can make a work environment more comfortable, while creating speech privacy so workers can be more productive. Sound masking can also be used in the out-of-doors to restore a more natural ambient environment.
Sound masking can be explained by analogy with light. Imagine a dark room where someone is turning a flashlight on and off. The light is very obvious and distracting. Now imagine that the room lights are turned on. The flashlight is still being turned on and off, but is no longer noticeable because it has been “masked”. Sound masking is a similar process of covering a distracting sound with a more soothing or less intrusive sound.
This custom tailored sound is introduced into the office environment through a sound masking system inconspicuously located above the ceiling or under an
access floor system. Specialized eavesdropping protection systems by can be installed to protect sensitive conversations from deliberate
eavesdroppers.
To install a soundmasking system contact Big U Media, Florida’s Audio Visual headquarters.
