Sandra Simmons, President of Money Management Solutions, has years of experience helping business owners and families manage their money to eliminate debt. To learn more about the Money Management Software she created, watch the FREE 5-minute demo video on her website at www.moneymgmtsolutions.com

- Sandra Simmons

I understand exactly how you are feeling right now after hearing the term-white noise machine. Yes, it is perfectly alright to use an adjective that describes the spectral density or color of a wave with sound because sound after all propagates as a wave through a medium. White noise generators are widely used to simply inundate any other noise wave.

Indeed, this property is unique to machines working on the white noise principle. You might be wondering how this machine actually works. Well, in simple terms, white noise is a coagulation of millions of sound waves propagating with the same intensity.

The high density of this coagulation helps eliminate the external sounds like the ticking of the clock, the chirping of birds outside, or the droning sounds of cars on the street near your home or your job. It is important to note that the sound made by a white noise machine causes no discomfort to the human ear.

A white noise machine for your personal use can be made at home using acoustics materials that can be purchased at shops that sell items for physics labs. However, the creation of such a device is no simple undertaking. You must first understand the basic principles of acoustics prior to endeavoring to create your own personal white noise machine.

If this is a little strange to you, there is no need for concern. There are a variety of companies that make white noise generators that are lower cost that help eliminate discomfort from unwanted office and vehicle noise, or even the snoring coming from your partner. These can be ordered online, and you can also pay by credit card.

99% of people surveyed would indicate a negative reaction like irritation, agitation, or annoyance to the word noise. Learning more about the various ways that a white noise machine can use noise to positively impact people and the environment opens up possibilities in which noise can be used in a beneficial fashion. A white noise generator is used broadly just to wipe out all other noise waves. A good deal of companies make inexpensive generators to help relieve the distress you encounter from office noises, noise from traffic, and it can even drown out your partner's snoring.

Published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, a study by Cornell University researchers discovered that even small quantities of office noise led to higher levels of stress, a decline in motivation, and diminished productivity. An increased stress level, as verified by increased amounts of adrenaline in the bloodstream, is thought to contribute to heart disease and other serious health problems. Not only is there lost productivity, but employers may also be required to cover these related health care expenses.

Another study by the American Society of Interior Designers also demonstrated that employee productivity decreased as ambient noise levels increased. This study found excessive noise especially prevalent in the modern open-office environment where frail cubicles have replaced walled offices, and electronic devices add to the cacophony.

Mixed environments in today's modern offices are particularly challenging to the modern worker. As an example, take the technical writer, who requires high levels of concentration and focus on the job, who sits in a cubicle not far from a salesman making sales calls. The salesman's calls interrupt the flow of concentration for the technical writer, decreasing his level of efficiency.

Excessive office noise is a serious problem with many available solutions. Ear plugs or earmuffs, as well as desktop white noise machines are often used by distracted employees. Unfortunately because these devices stifle all sounds, they also tend to reduce overall staff efficiency. Distracting noises can be diminished without muffling important sounds by using headphones with active noise cancelling technology.

The smart solution for reducing office noise levels begins with the design of the office, along with proper sound insulation, or a sound masking system. The last few years have seen prices of these sound masking systems dropping drastically. With the amount of information available in today's market and the amount of affordable solutions, today's intelligent employer has no more excuses for not taking care of problems with excessive workplace noise levels.

If you've ever worked in a busy office you know how distracting office noise can be. Even low levels of noise slow down productivity, increase stress, and cause employee mistakes. Even conversational distractions at work, such as the person talking in the next cubicle, are a negative factor. Employees might use white noise machines, but since they stifle all sound they also tend to reduce staff efficiency. The smart solution for reducing noise begins with the design and sound insulation of the office. Employers can really not afford to let their office be noisy and distracting.

Since most jobs require focused work as well as collaboration and interaction, businesses should install office sound masking solutions to help make sure information is only heard by the intended recipients. This is what is meant by "speech privacy." Good office sound masking is required for speech privacy.

Facility managers often use office sound-masking providers in order to integrate the sound-masking structures into businesses, intending to allow for speech privacy.

The products which are available these days are vastly different from the ones we used just a few years prior. Even the office sound masking systems that were in use just a few years ago are now incredibly out-dated. Currently there are a multitude of different types of systems, as well as an array of manufactures. Currently the most powerful and cost-effective sound masking systems are called "direct field" systems, and can provide and amazing value for minimum investment.

One of the criteria for the manager to think about when selecting a sound masking system is the superiority of the sound that is he is buying. Almost all the office sound masking companies give demo about their products. They also offer you an access to a customer walk through. Take advantage of this - older "indirect field" systems require significant tuning and ongoing maintenance, and so rarely produce a relaxing sound.

The easy part would be effective masking of sound. For you to have the best sound masking system it would need to provide a calm environment so work can be done, and effective speech privacy. A working lawn mower might be used to provide one privacy from speech, however it might not be the best sound for ones ears.

Before you finish the transaction, be sure to listen for the sound produced. Aim for a masking system that creates a quiet, multi-directional sound that doesn't use any noticeable loops or repeated tones. Look for a system with multiple channels, avoiding older mono-style systems.

If you pick an older system, you must determine costs for ongoing maintenance and tuning. The indirect field systems will need tuning each time any furniture is moved, and a lot will need recalibration every year. The more modern, direct-field systems do not need any tuning.

In all those wall-free and door-free office spaces of the modern business environment, employees are frequently distracted by being forced to listen to everything going on, whether it is important or not. This high noise level has extremely negative effects on their productivity. The sound masking products which are available these days are vastly different from the simple White Noise systems available just a few years ago. The easy part is the effective Office Sound Masking. The ideal system will also provide effective speech privacy in addition to a tranquil work environment. Newer, direct-field systems also do not require tuning.

- Frank Barnett

So to maximize the efficiency of your employees, reducing office noise is essential. Getting rid of noise in the office is extremely difficult because it often requires you to talk to noisy coworkers.

Certain styles of architecture make it more difficult to reduce or eliminate office noise. Many older buildings do not contain adequate sound insulation; newer buildings with large, open areas and brick or stone ceilings, walls and floors can be just as bad for containing noise. But there are still things that can be done to reduce noise in an office.

Get human resources involved and ask them to begin a new policy to dissuade employees from chatting in their cubicles. They should also not be allowed to make or receive personal phone calls in hallways or cubicles in an effort to reduce overall workplace noise. When they need to make a personal call, they should head to the outside lobby to do so.

Every worker should be warned against using either laptop or desktop speakers for the playing of music. To be certain that employees do not view this as a harsh sound masker, the company may determine that ear plugs or headsets need to be provided. Headsets that have noise cancellation ability are particularly beneficial for workers trying to place more focus on their work and not on their noisy coworkers.

There are also many great individual and enterprise-wide technological solutions. Forward-thinking companies have had great results installing speech privacy systems throughout their open offices. Such sound masking systems cover speech, making noisy coworkers much less distracting. Sound absorbent wall and furniture panels can add to the benefit of sound masking systems, as well as contribute to the overall office decor. This method of noise reduction may require a larger investment; however, improved speech privacy in an office typically pays for itself in terms of increased worker productivity and decreased distractions.

If your employer does not wish to improve facilities by installing white noise machines you may be forced to consider some of the many individual solutions to this problem. There are personal white noise devices you could purchase. They don't take up much room on a desk and using them could help you concentrate on your work.

Keeping office noise to a minimum will improve employee performance. Because it involves noisy coworkers and their sensitivities, the task of minimizing or removing noise in the office can prove challenging. All workers should be advised against the use of desktop or laptop speakers for playing music. To ensure that employees do not consider this as a harsh sound masking measure, the organization may choose to provide them with earplugs or headsets. There are also many great individual and enterprise-wide technological solutions. Forward-thinking companies have had great results installing speech privacy systems throughout their open offices. Sound absorbent wall and furniture panels can also help.

Nevertheless, posing that particular question is not going to help you since you cannot fire an individual from your corporation for making too much noise in the workplace if you are not the firm's owner. For that reason, you need to find viable ways to eliminate the distracting sounds rather than those who are creating them.

Start looking for a workable remedy by letting your manager know the nature of the problem your workers cause. Then he will realize that you find it difficult to concentrate in a noisy environment and that the current situation may lead to less than optimal work outcomes.

After telling your manager about it, it is time for you to confront your noisy coworker. Be gentle, but direct. Nobody likes to be embarrassed or feel attacked. But most of your coworkers are probably reasonable people who deal with the same workplace annoyances you do.

If the co-worker that is creating the noise problem doesn't see it, then you may want to go their supervisor with the issue. Direct supervisors are able to act the part of enabling a solution, they are the architect for learning of those who report to them. As such it is the responsibility of your co-worker's supervisor to help counsel them on the problem they are causing. After a reprimand from their supervisor the majority of noisy co-workers change their noisy ways.

Lastly, you may also want to get yourself a speech privacy, or 'white noise', system. These systems can help cover up much of the distracting noise that comes from a busy office with noisy co-workers, which will decrease their ability to bother you and help you maintain your focus on your work.

Working in an office is supposed to mean that you can count on your colleagues to assist you in brainstorming and solving difficult problems. However, many dedicated workers report their inability to concentrate on their jobs because of the noise created by their co-workers. Well, knowing that problem won't provide you relief from your quagmire because you can't oust someone from a company for causing office noise. You may want to get yourself a speech privacy, or 'white noise', system. These systems can help cover up much of the distracting noise that comes from a busy office.

So, that explains why keeping office noise to a minimum will improve employee performance. Because it involves noisy coworkers and their sensitivities, the task of minimizing or removing noise in the office can prove challenging.

Certain styles of architecture make it more difficult to reduce or eliminate office noise. Many older buildings do not contain adequate sound insulation; newer buildings with large, open areas and brick or stone ceilings, walls and floors can be just as bad for containing noise. But there are still things that can be done to reduce noise in an office.

Originally, the human resources department needs to establish a policy that discourages employees from excessive talking or visiting, so that other workers aren't disturbed. Also, cell phones should be banned in halls and common areas. Instead, encourage workers to take personal calls outside the building, or in the lobby.

All workers should be advised against the use of desktop or laptop speakers for playing music. To ensure that employees do not consider this as a harsh sound masking measure, the organization may choose to provide them with ear plugs or headsets. Noise canceling headsets can be especially helpful as workers attempt to focus more on the task at hand and less on their noisy coworkers.

A number of technological solutions are available as well, both for the individual and for offices. Speech privacy systems that have been installed by some progressive organizations have been quite successful. These sound masking systems mask speech, making noisy coworkers less intrusive. Sound absorbing panels on walls and furniture assist in noise reduction, at the same time adding to the office decor. These solutions may require a significant financial investment, but improved noise reduction often pays for itself as worker productivity increases as a result of fewer distractions.

There are also many individual solutions, in the event your employer is not interested in such a facilities improvement, often known as white noise machines. Such systems generally take up little desk space and can help you concentrate on your work instead of "Bob-noxious" down the row.

All workers should be advised against the use of desktop or laptop speakers for playing music. To ensure that employees do not consider this as a harsh sound masking measure, the organization may choose to provide them with ear plugs or headsets. Noise canceling headsets can be especially helpful as workers attempt to focus more on the task at hand and less on their noisy coworkers. There are also many great individual and enterprise-wide technological solutions. Forward-thinking companies have had great results installing a speech privacy system throughout their open offices.

The majority of workplaces are not sufficiently soundproofed so that workers can converse with one another or on the telephone without causing significant distractions for the colleagues in their vicinity. Short-walled cubicles and imperfect layouts in frequently close quarters can cause office noise to be disseminated throughout the entire floor, causing problems especially in smaller workspaces.

For offices dealing with office noise, the consequences of leaving the problem unchecked can manifest itself in the cost to the company. Often, the noise can take other nearby employees off of their work, which can lower productivity in the office even further. That lost productivity may not seem like much at the time that it happens, but constant workflow interruptions can result in a significant hit to your bottom line.

In order to prevent productivity loss, a number of companies are addressing office noise issues by implementing office sound masking systems. These systems work to mask any distracting noises by creating unstructured sounds in the background, resulting in a dramatic increase of speech privacy within the office. It has been shown that acoustic privacy allows almost any worker to be more productive by some degree.

Office noise is inevitable, as part of business consists of employees speaking with customers or each other. However, this can be dealt with through implementation of a speech privacy system. Such a system can protect the privacy of conversations that take place while at the same time preventing others in the office from becoming distracted.

As all business owners and CEOs know, office noise can not only be a frustration and distraction to employees, but it can also cost a company a lot of money. By reducing office noise, you make the office a more pleasant working environment and can increase productivity. A speech privacy system in an office is a great solution to office noise and help to increase productivity.

While many businesses focus on trying to eliminate office socializing and time-wasting activities, they should also be aware of the loss of productivity due to excessive, distracting office noise. Such unwanted distractions can contribute to office stress and take away from the daily work flow that allows productivity. Many offices don't employ any type of soundproofing devices that works to be agents of office sound masking. Speech privacy systems may be the answer: once installed, this can lock in private conversations and keep distracting noises away from fellow employees who are trying to avoid breaking their work flow.

- Frank Barnett

The thing is, many businesses approach sound masking as if it were a real version of the Cone of Silence (or C.O.S. as Steve Carrell refers to it).  However, just as in the movie and TV series, the C.O.S. does not exist in any functional form (despite what some sound masking reps may say).  You can't do "spot masking" right outside a conference room door or simply stick a single emitter or loudspeaker directly over a cubicle and call it done. 

Done right, office sound masking will provide you with exceptional speech privacy.  But make sure the sales guy explains it right.  If it sounds like he's trying to sell you a Cone of Silence, expect his system to generate about the same results.

A noisy environment will also reduce productivity. White noise generators, otherwise known as sound masking, are used to give privacy and to combat the excessive noise of such locations. Background sounds are neutralized by masking, and ambient noise in general is reduced by the use of white noise generators.

Office conversations can often turn into not only privacy and gossip-filled banters, but can also distract other workers in the area from their tasks and projects. It's no secret that quiet, controlled atmospheres allow better work flow and productivity as compared to noisy, uncontrolled work spaces.

The distraction and privacy loss caused by the noise of office conversations and equipment is mitigated through the use of modern speech privacy systems. These modern systems employ leading technology that is itself much less noisy than older techniques.

Some of the benefits of speech privacy systems may not be obvious at first glance, but studies show that distracting noise also causes more repetitive stress injuries because distracted workers are less likely to make adjustments to their environment than those who perceive a quieter workspace environment. Workers in quieter or noise controlled offices are also more likely to take on difficult problems and to solve them.

Although an open office atmosphere may hold advantages in terms of cost effectiveness and work flow, there is one major drawback: ambient noise. Modern speech privacy systems may be the answer to this problem. With fewer walls, and open spaces, noise can become uncontrollable.

If you're not familiar with it, sound masking is a special technology that covers noisy background conversations. The price of this system is worth the benefits it offers the employees and it enables them to do their job more efficiently.

Frank Barnett works for Speech Privacy Systems, the exclusive source for the cutting-edge VoiceArrest Speech Privacy System.

- Frank Barnett