The recent research conducted by Herman Miller documents productivity gains of 8-38%, job satisfaction increases of 125-174% and reductions in stress up to 27% thanks to the improved office acoustics.

Office workers who participated in a Herman Miller study on privacy-related issues cited “overheard conversation” as their biggest complaint. While people can get used to many office noises, to the point where their brains “tune out” the distractions, some find it nearly impossible to disregard intelligible human speech.

Acoustic ceiling tiles target this problem by absorbing sound and making office space more conducive to concentration.

Calabash services are used by offices to keep their acoustic ceiling tiles clean.

References and credits

Herman Miller, Inc – Solution essays – “Sound Masking in the Office”.

Ergometrica (2002)—independent research contractor to Cambridge Sound Management, Inc.—“Empirical evaluation of the impact on worker productivity of Herman Miller’s Resolve furniture system,” Report of a five-week research project conducted under scientifically controlled conditions.

Armstrong, Inc. (1997). “A case study of office speech noise distraction and work productivity.” Summary of a six-month longitudinal field study at a customer site.