Task-irrelevant speech is among the most common and disruptive sources of noise in modern office environments. For acousticians, the challenge has long been: how do we objectively assess the distraction caused by such fluctuating, speech-dominated environments using tools readily available in the field? A new study by Hongisto et al. (2025) offers a solution. It […]
Forum Acousticum/Euronoise 2025: Let’s talk acoustics, research & real-world impact
From 23–26 June 2025, the acoustics world will gather under the Andalusian sun for Forum Acousticum / Euronoise 2025, hosted in the vibrant coastal city of Málaga, Spain. This joint congress is one of the year’s most significant events for anyone passionate about sound—its science, its design, and its profound impact on people.We’re thrilled to […]
Restaurants get louder—here’s how good acoustics and table spacing can break the cycle
In hospitality spaces such as restaurants, hotel lobbies, and cafés, escalating noise is more than just a nuisance—it’s a scientifically recognized phenomenon with measurable impacts on both guest experience and business outcomes. This is largely driven by the Lombard effect, a reflexive human response where people raise their voices in noisy environments to be heard. […]
How noise affects decision-making
Noise has always been seen as a challenge in workplaces, but its impact on decision-making—especially in experience-based judgments—is not yet fully understood. This article looks at two research studies that explore how noise affects decision-making and the practical implications of their findings. Why room acoustics matter in decision making Efficient decision-making is essential in workplace […]
Active noise-cancelling headphones do not improve cognitive performance in office noise environment
In modern open-plan offices, noise from conversations and background activities can significantly impact employees’ productivity and well-being. Active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones are often employed as a personal solution to reduce distractions and control the acoustic environment. But how effective are these devices in enhancing performance, reducing stress, or improving the overall work experience? This article […]
Empirical Method for Predicting Speech Sound Propagation in Offices
ISO 3382-3 describes how to assess sound propagation and speech intelligibility in open-plan offices. At the recent Inter-Noise conference in Nantes, Rainer Machner presented Hongisto and Keränen’s (2013) regression-based model for predicting ISO 3382-3 parameters. By analyzing data from 10 office spaces, he evaluated the model’s performance and gave practical recommendations for its use in […]
Irrelevant speech makes perceived workload higher
Irrelevant speech, or background conversations, has been shown to impair cognitive performance and cause physiological stress. Recently published research demonstrated that working during task-irrelevant speech not only increases stress, as measured by heart rate variability, and reduces accuracy but also increases annoyance and perceived workload. Method Thirty participants performed two cognitive tasks (n-back and serial […]
Dissatisfaction with noise strongly related to the perceived fit of office
Many research studies investigate satisfaction with indoor environmental quality in offices. In their study, Jenni Raduni and Valtteri Hongisto from Turku University examined the influence of office types and satisfaction with indoor environmental quality factors on different activities’ perceived fit. The study was based on a large global dataset consisting of more than 82,000 respondents […]
Designing for Acoustic Satisfaction in Open Plan Offices: EIAS Presentation by Jack-Harvie Clark
Jack-Harvie Clark demonstrated that the perception of the acoustic environment is influenced by numerous factors. Working on room acoustics alone can help reduce annoyance caused by noise. Achieving acoustic satisfaction necessitates considering many additional factors that extend beyond room acoustics. Dissatisfaction with noise levels kills productivity Jack Harvie-Clark outlined at the beginning of this talk […]
Practical implications of acoustic design of open plan offices according to ISO 22955:2021: Insights from Juan Negreira’s presentation at EIAS 2023
The design of open plan offices has become a subject of intense scrutiny in recent years. At EIAS, in a presentation by Juan Negreira the practical implications of ISO 22955 for open plan office design were discussed, shedding light on the important considerations and best practices. The role of acoustics in offices At the outset […]
