World Hearing Day: the importance of good acoustics in your workplace

The World Hearing Day 2025 campaign encourages people to see the role of ear and hearing health in wellbeing and participation in life. The WHO encourages everyone to take steps to protect their hearing from loud noises, check their hearing regularly, use hearing aids when necessary, and support people with hearing loss.

Even in work environments, where noise is an unavoidable aspect, acoustics play a crucial role in protecting hearing and promoting a healthy, productive work environment. In this blog article, we discuss why good acoustics are essential and how you can improve acoustics in work environments.

Why World Hearing Day?

Hearing damage is often an insidious problem. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide have some form of hearing loss, and according to the WHO, this number could rise to 2.5 billion by 2050. The number of people with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is increasing enormously. Working environments with poor acoustics and high noise levels may contribute to hearing problems and other negative effects, such as:

• Increased stress and fatigue

• Decreased productivity and concentration

• Communication problems between colleagues

• Increased risk of burnout

World Hearing Day draws global attention to preventive measures, and one of the most effective ways to protect hearing in the work environment is to invest in good acoustics.

The importance of good acoustics in your workplace

In modern offices, open work spaces and production environments, sound plays an important role.

The modern design of new offices, characterised by open work spaces, hard surfaces such as glass, concrete and steel, and a minimalist design without carpets, carpets or curtains, often leads to poor acoustics. These materials reflect sound instead of absorbing it, increasing reverberation and background noise.

Poor acoustics can cause an unpleasant working atmosphere and reduced efficiency. Here are some of the reasons why companies should invest in acoustic improvements:

1. Improved concentration and productivity

Background noise, such as calls, phone calls, and ringing devices, can be distracting. Research (Banbury & Berry, 1998) shows that employees are up to 66% less productive in a noisy work environment. Good acoustic panels and sound-absorbing materials can reduce this noise pollution and improve focus.

2. Employee health and well-being

Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can lead to stress, increased blood pressure, and even hearing loss. Acoustic solutions such as wall panels, partitions and ceiling panels can attenuate noise and create a healthier work environment.

3. Better communication

In a noisy office, it can be difficult to follow conversations properly. Bad speech intelligibility can lead to misunderstandings and inefficient cooperation. By optimizing acoustics, for example by using acoustic panels or special meeting rooms with acoustic facilities, communication is improved. This also applies to online communication, such as (video) calls.‍

4. More pleasant working environment

Good acoustics contribute to overall work comfort. Employees feel more comfortable in a room where the sound is well regulated. This contributes to a positive working atmosphere and lower stress levels.

How can you improve acoustics?

As a company, you can take several steps to improve workplace acoustics:

• Map noise levels and adjust acoustic solutions based on acoustic measurements

• Add sound-absorbing materials such as wall panels, partitions and ceiling panels

• Create quiet areas in the office for concentrated work and meetings

• Install sound-absorbing furniture such as upholstered sofas and chairs or special acoustic furniture

• Optimize room layout by separating noisy zones from workplaces

On World Hearing Day, it's extra important to consider hearing and the impact of noise in work environments. Poor acoustics can lead to hearing problems, stress and reduced productivity, while good acoustic design contributes to a healthier and more efficient workplace. Investing in acoustic solutions not only makes for a more pleasant working environment, but also contributes to the health and well-being of employees.

Do you want to know how to improve the acoustics in your office? Take contact join us for acoustic analysis and advice! Or read more about our unique approach.