Learn How Sound Masking Technology Helps Create Better Workspaces

This accredited online course is intended for architects, commercial interior designers, LEED project managers and AV professionals looking to improve the acoustic privacy and comfort of office workers and health care users with the latest sound masking technology.

Achieving Speech Privacy: Practical Applications of Sound Masking in Architectural Design

This course is designed for architects and office designers seeking to enhance their understanding of sound masking and its valuable impact on architectural acoustics.

The presentation covers the fundamental concepts of sound masking and delves into its practical applications to achieve optimal speech privacy and acoustic comfort in various architectural settings. Attendees will gain insights into the benefits of sound masking solutions and how they contribute to creating more productive, comfortable, and confidential workspaces.

 

Learning Objectives

 

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of sound masking principles and its application in architectural settings to enhance speech privacy and acoustic comfort.
  • Explore practical techniques for implementing sound masking solutions in various architectural designs, aiming to create more productive and confidential workspaces.
  • Assess the advantages of sound masking in achieving optimal acoustic conditions, and promoting occupants' well-being.
  • Gain insights into the effective integration of sound masking technologies into architectural acoustics, ensuring a more comfortable and secure environment for occupants.

 

 

Approved Continuing Education Learning Units

AIA/HSW: 1 LU (1.0 hour)
AVIXA: 1 CTS/CTS-D RU (1.0 hour)
GBCI/USGBC: 1 LEED CE (1.0 hour)
IDCEC: 0.1 credit (1.0 hour)
AAA, MAA, OAA, OAQ, SAA: Structured Learning (1.0 hour)
AIBC: 1 Core LU (1.0 hour)
NARI: 0.1 credit (1.0 hour)

This course is registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC), Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA), and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for continuing education credits. IDCEC credits are also accepted by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Designers Association (IIDA), and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC). Members of The Alberta Association of Architects (AAA), Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC), Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA), Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ), and Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA) can self-report course completion to earn structured learning units.

CEU accredited by AIA, IDCEC, IIDA, ASID, GBCI, NARI, AVIXA, and IDC

Three Easy Ways to Learn About Sound Masking Technology

Online Video Course

Learn about sound masking on your own by watching our video course whenever you want. The video ends with a 10-question quiz you must complete to receive your certificate of completion and earn your CEU.

Register here

Webinar Presentation

Learn about sound masking from the very people who successfully integrate it in hundreds of office spaces each year. Our experts host free webinars on a rolling basis so there’s always a convenient time slot just ahead.

Register here

Unregistered Course

Don't need CEUs? Just watch the public video course right here, no registration needed. Is sound masking the right solution for achieving better acoustical privacy and comfort in your office? Let’s find out right now!

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Office Sound Masking Course Overview

Introduction: the great disconnect in employee wellness

Understanding the basic science behind sound

Understanding how sound travels in an office space

What is speech privacy and how is it quantified?

Green buildings: how sustainability comes at the expense of acoustics

What is sound masking and how does it work?

Where, when, and how sound masking makes a positive impact

How to integrate sound masking in new office construction and retrofits

Where to install sound masking speakers in an office space

How to specify and choose the right sound masking system

Why Should You Learn About Sound Masking Technology?

Why should you take this course? It’s 100% free and you can take it at your convenience from the comfort of your home. It’s also 100% objective as in we’re not going to try to sell you our system or anything. We’re passionate acoustical engineers first, sound masking system manufacturer and supplier second. Solving noise problems and acoustic privacy issues is all we do and we’re best at what we do.

Raising Your Game in Workspace Acoustics

More importantly, this course is an opportunity to raise your game in workspace acoustics while gaining valuable insights into the most advanced sound masking technology available today. So the next time a sales representative or project manager contacts you about office sound masking, you'll not only know exactly what it is, but you'll also master the ins and outs slightly more than them. That's how comprehensive our course really is!

Sound masking speaker hanging from exposed industrial ceiling

AIA Architects

Licensed architects must earn continuing education credits each year to fulfill AIA membership requirements. AIA measures continuing education in Learning Units (LUs). One hour of continuing education equals one LU. AIA Architect members must complete 18 LUs each year. Of the 18 LUs, 12 must be in the topic areas of health, safety and welfare (HSW). This course will give you 1 LU (1.0 hour) in the area of health, safety and welfare (HSW).

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Black sound masking speaker hanging from exposed concrete ceiling

Interior Designers

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and International Interior Designers Association (IIDA) require professional and associate members to complete at least 10 hours of continuing education every 2 years. This course will count for 1 CEU (1 hour) toward your ASID, IIDA, and IDC education membership requirement. Credit management is facilitated through the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC).

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LEED-certified green office

LEED Professionals

Every two years, LEED APs must earn 30 CE hours, of which 6 must be LEED-specific, and LEED Green Associates must earn 15 CE hours, of which 3 must be LEED-specific. All LEED credential holders who complete our course can self-report 1 GBCI CE Hour through their USGBC account.

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Sound masking controllers and amplifiers

AV Professionals

Certified Technology Specialists applying for renewal at any CTS level must have collected 30 AVIXA-approved renewal units within their three-year certification period. Our 1-hour course, whether taken in person or online, counts for 1 RU toward both CTS and CTS-D certification renewals.

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Sound Masking Greatly Improves Workplace Comfort, Acoustic Privacy, and Employee Productivity

In late 2019, Future Workplace and View surveyed 1601 workers to understand which wellness perks mattered to them most and how these perks impacted their productivity. What do you think office workers want more than anything? They want the basics first: better air quality, natural light, and distraction-free rooms where they can comfortably focus on their work.

In fact, noise distractions bothered more than a third of office workers surveyed, negatively impacting their ability to focus on their everyday tasks. Disruptive sounds like phones ringing, typing on keyboards, and conversations among coworkers all significantly impaired their concentration. Sound masking technology is all about helping these office workers. In particular, it’s about the following, all too often overlooked, well-being contributing factors:

  • Being able to concentrate on cognitively demanding tasks and get into flow, distraction-free.
  • Feeling comfortable discussing private, sensitive information with managers and select teammates without being overheard across the entire office space.
  • Being able to take and make important phone calls without worrying about disturbing others.

Sound Masking Reduces Office Construction Costs and the Need for More Soundproof Materials

Sound masking can help you achieve more with less. You get more acoustic privacy with less need for plenum barriers, soundproof doors and extra drywall layers. Office construction costs can be reduced by up to $3 per square foot when integrating sound masking technology at the design stage.

Sound masking also helps you achieve better room acoustics without the need to rethink what’s already working great in your design, whether in terms of sustainability, flexibility or pure aesthetics. It makes it easier for office workers to concentrate and be more productive without requestioning the open concept workspace, which is here to stay and grow whether we love or hate it.

Sound Masking Makes It Easier and Simpler to Achieve LEED and WELL Acoustic Performance Standards

Both LEED and WELL building standards reward design decisions made about thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort. Under LEED v4.1, projects can earn 2 points toward the Acoustic Performance credit in the EQ section of the Interior Design and Construction rating system (ID+C), and 1 point in the new Building Design and Construction system (BD+C).

Designing for healthcare? Sound masking can help you earn 1 LEED point by achieving superior speech privacy, acoustical comfort of patients, and minimal annoyance from noisy ward equipment.

In all cases, to ensure optimal acoustic privacy and comfort of spaces aiming for certification, both LEED v4.1 and WELL v2 standards not only recommend the use of sound-absorbing materials, but also explicitly encourage the use of sound masking technology. The S06 Minimum Background Sound Feature in WELL v2 outright requires it to earn points.

Sound Masking Plays Well With Office AV Technologies, Fire Alarm Systems and Building Automation Systems

If you’re an AV professional with a weak spot for office audio done right—we’re talking fully integrated paging, intercom, and ambient music systems performing multi-zone playback with crisp, clear sound across thousands of square feet—then you should learn about today’s sound masking systems. Office audio systems and sound masking systems are a match made in heaven. They can actually become one and the same—sharing the same power, cables, and control panels.

In fact, some sound masking systems are so good at handling multi-source/multi-zone playback that they’ll have you look upon office paging and ambient music distribution in new exciting ways. Sound masking, by its very nature, is a multi-zone thing. You’re into building automation systems? Sound masking done right is also about automating mundane functions, such as power saver mode, signal equalization, and even playback volume adjustments based on space occupancy.

Over 33% of office workers are bothered by noise distractions, negatively impacting their ability to focus on important tasks.

Being able to focus without interruptions is a top priority for employees when asked about their office design.

Don't Need CEUs? Watch Our Video Course Right Here

Learn about sound masking on your own terms, no registration and personal information needed, by watching the complete video course right here. You will not earn the course’s CEU credit, but you’ll definitely learn something of value for you as a professional and your clients. Is sound masking the right solution for achieving better acoustical privacy and comfort in your facilities? Let’s find out today!

Need Help to Successfully Integrate Sound Masking Technology in Your Future Space Projects?

If one of your goals is to make your clients' space—be it a vibrant corporate office aiming for LEED and WELL certifications, a hospital's intensive care unit, or the city's new public library—more acoustically comfortable and private while keeping construction and soundproofing costs to a minimum, we should talk.

Tell us about your project