How to overcome the effects of noise in the workplace

There are times when it seems impossible to escape excessive noise.

Whether it’s the rumble of roadworks outside your house, screeching police car sirens whizzing past you on your evening stroll, or just the general clang and clatter of daily life.

But to an extent, you can generally protect yourself when you’re in your own environment. Or at the very least, you may be able to avoid situations where you’ll be unnecessarily exposed to harsh levels of noise.

This means that you can keep a close eye (or ear) on your noise exposure levels. Helping to keep your hearing healthy and your mind clear and happy.

But what about noise levels that you can’t control? And what about environments that it’s necessary for you to enter – such as your workplace?

In this article, we’ll take you through the harmful effects of noise in the workplace, as well as how noise can affect you, and what you can do to reduce noise hazards in the workplace.

It can also trigger physiological stress issues such as an increased heart rate and spikes in blood pressure. And prolonged exposure to high noise levels can bring about permanent issues such as tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

Once your hearing has been damaged, the further effects can be profound. You may struggle to hear high frequencies, understand people when they’re speaking to you, and impair your overall communication abilities.

But the effects of excessive noise aren’t just limited to hearing issues and increased blood pressure. Environmental noise can also be a common cause of sleep disturbance. People may experience increased difficulty to fall asleep, an inability to stay asleep, and waking up earlier than they need to.

This reduction in the depth and quality of your sleep schedule can severely impair a person’s ability to concentrate, rest and recuperate, and can even affect their mood.

However, as with any form of noise, white noise can still have a negative effect on your hearing. Especially with particularly loud or prolonged exposure at certain frequencies and decibels.

If you are a frequent user of white noise, be sure to set the volume at a safe level, and make sure that the source of the white noise is placed well away from you whilst you are using it. This is especially important if you use it whilst sleeping.

Officially, the accepted workplace noise level varies from country to country. For example, in the UK, the level at which employers have to provide their staff with hearing protection is a daily or weekly average exposure of 85 dB.

And although the limits do vary, this rating of 85 dB is the most generally accepted standard of a time-weighted average. Anything above this limit of noise pollution in the workplace will start to put serious pressure on your eardrums, the overall health of your ears, and your mental well-being.

But whilst these are government regulations, it’s down to your personal preference when it comes to what noise levels you are willing to tolerate. It is simply not worth risking your physical and mental health by unnecessarily exposing yourself to high levels of noise for your job.

There are various ways that both staff and employers can help to reduce the negative effects of noise in the workplace.

Let’s take a look at some of the best strategies:

This way, the hubbub of social chatter will steer clear of the main workspace and instead move to a separate space, leaving those who are working to get on with their tasks in relative peace and quiet.

Plus, these breakout rooms are also a great way to encourage a social atmosphere and improve morale and communication.

So really it’s a win for everyone.

When it comes to workplace noise, it’s sometimes completely unavoidable – especially if you work in industries such as manufacturing or construction. But that doesn’t mean people should have to just put up with it, suffer through their working days, and potentially give themselves long-lasting health implications.

Particularly effective in noisy office spaces, acoustic and noise-absorbing features can make a huge difference to the sound levels. Whether that’s features that have been architecturally built into the building itself, or acoustic panels, artwork, screens, or foam board that can be strategically placed throughout a space.

Even something as simple as laying down rugs or putting curtains on the windows can help to decrease the levels of noise throughout the building.

There is a trend going on in modern office spaces to have an open-plan layout to boost communication and collaboration. While open-plan office environments have a wide range of benefits, it can mean that some people may struggle without a quiet space to clear their minds and concentrate on their work.

By designating certain areas or rooms in an office space that are purely for quiet contemplation or work, you can benefit from a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy workplace.

Loop Earplugs are a great way to take your world of sound into your own hands. Our Experience, Quiet, and Experience Plus (Pro) can help you to reduce noise by up to 24 decibels, giving you some much-needed peace, quiet, and control over your world of sound.

Our earplugs are perfect for anyone who is dealing with noise sensitivity, any form of neurodivergence, misophonia, or just for anyone who just wants to live life at their own volume.

When your place of work is prone to high levels of noise, your everyday routine can start to become stressful and unpleasant, especially if you deal with noise sensitivities or misophonia.

It’s important to make sure that you aren’t suffering, mentally or physically, just to work for a living. You deserve to be just as safe and comfortable in your place of work as you are in your own home – so don’t be afraid to make the necessary adjustments or changes to ensure that you are living your best life, and your ears are protected from harm.

To find out more about how Loop can help you overcome the effects of noise in the workplace, make sure to come and check out our range of noise-reducing earplugs.