The Role of Acoustic Solutions in Improving Workplace Productivity

In an interaction with Industry Outlook, OJ Shimrah, Director of Saohkha Acoustics, discusses how Indian companies are addressing acoustic challenges in open office setups, focusing on retrofitting trends like sound masking systems, acoustic treatments, and modular panels. He highlights how data-driven assessments, acoustic zoning, and AI-driven solutions are enhancing privacy, productivity, and well-being across sectors like IT, BPO, and healthcare.

How are Indian companies addressing acoustic discomfort in open office setups, and what retrofitting trends are gaining traction across major cities?

While awareness of soundproofing and acoustic optimization remains limited among many Indian organizations, the growing prevalence of open-office layouts has necessitated greater attention to noise management.

Typically, acoustic interventions are prioritized only after noise-related disruptions, such as excessive reverberation, diminished speech intelligibility, or lack of privacy, become pronounced and adversely impact productivity.

In open-plan environments, the primary acoustic challenges include:

Reverberation: Uncontrolled sound reflections degrade speech clarity and focus.

Lack of Speech Privacy: Employees struggle with confidential or distraction-free conversations in shared spaces. To mitigate these issues, retrofitting trends gaining traction include:

Sound Masking Systems: Deployed to enhance speech privacy by introducing ambient background noise that neutralizes overheard conversations.

Acoustic Treatments: Strategic installation of absorptive panels, baffles, and wall coverings to reduce reverberation and improve overall sound quality.

How do data-driven acoustic assessments influence the selection and implementation of sound-masking technologies in high-performance workspaces across sectors like IT and finance?

Data-driven acoustic assessments are essential for accurately identifying specific sound- related challenges in a workspace and guiding effective solutions. By collecting and analyzing detailed acoustic data—such as ambient noise levels, reverberation times, speech intelligibility, and spatial sound distribution—organizations can pinpoint problem areas with precision. The more comprehensive the data, the more accurate and targeted the acoustic strategy becomes.

When implementing sound-masking technologies, this data plays a critical role in determining the appropriate sound spectrum (such as the type and frequency of masking noise) and identifying the optimal locations for system installation. Properly calibrated sound masking ensures uniform coverage, maintains speech privacy, and minimizes distractions without creating new acoustic discomfort.

When implementing sound-masking technologies, this data plays a critical role in determining the appropriate sound spectrum (such as the type and frequency of masking noise) and identifying the optimal locations for system installation. Properly calibrated sound masking ensures uniform coverage, maintains speech privacy, and minimizes distractions without creating new acoustic discomfort.

This level of precision is particularly important in high-performance work environments like IT and finance, where open-plan layouts and confidentiality requirements coexist. Data-driven assessments help ensure that acoustic enhancements not only meet functional needs but also contribute to overall employee well-being and productivity.

In BPOs and healthcare, how are acoustic zoning strategies integrated into workspace design to meet speech privacy and productivity needs?

Acoustic zoning plays a critical role in the design of workspaces in both BPOs and healthcare facilities, where speech privacy, concentration, and a quiet environment are essential. In BPO offices, employees often handle sensitive customer information over phone calls. Without proper acoustic separation, conversations can overlap, leading to confidentiality breaches and reduced productivity. Similarly, in healthcare environments, patient confidentiality and a calm, low-noise atmosphere are fundamental to both patient care and staff performance.

Through acoustic zoning, spaces are strategically divided using a combination of materials and technologies—such as sound-absorbing panels, acoustic partitions, ceiling treatments, and sound-masking systems. This approach helps isolate one functional area from another, preventing sound transmission and reducing noise spillover. The choice of acoustic treatment often depends on the layout, purpose of each zone, and budget considerations.

By minimizing the potential for overheard conversations and environmental noise, acoustic zoning enhances speech privacy and supports better focus, communication, and workflow efficiency. In healthcare settings, where quiet zones are expected in patient rooms, consultation areas, and recovery spaces, acoustic zoning is essential not only for compliance and privacy but also for promoting healing and reducing stress.

Overall, integrating acoustic zoning into workspace design ensures a functional, private, and comfortable environment tailored to the operational needs of high-demand sectors like BPO and healthcare.

What role do modular acoustic panels and adaptive ceiling systems play in enhancing focus zones in hybrid work environments, particularly in Indian metro offices?

Modular acoustic panels and adaptive ceiling systems play a significant role in enhancing focus zones within hybrid work environments, particularly in the dynamic context of Indian metro offices. Their portability and reusability make them ideal for medium-sized offices that frequently shift locations due to lease terms or space requirements. These solutions are not only cost-effective but also highly adaptable, allowing businesses to reconfigure their acoustic setup without the need for permanent structural changes.

Beyond their flexibility, these systems are highly effective in controlling sound transmission, allowing specific zones—such as focus areas, meeting pods, or collaborative spaces—to be acoustically isolated. This zoning capability is essential in hybrid offices where in-person and virtual interactions happen simultaneously, often leading to noise-related distractions. By minimizing ambient noise and improving speech clarity, these systems contribute directly to increased productivity and employee comfort.

Additionally, modular acoustic panels and adaptive ceilings contribute to the visual aesthetics of a workspace. When designed and installed thoughtfully, they enhance the overall interior design, giving the office a modern, professional look while simultaneously improving its acoustic performance. This dual function—combining utility with design—is especially valuable in metro cities where workspace quality and branding play a key role in employee satisfaction and client impressions.

In essence, these solutions offer a perfect blend of functionality, affordability, and design flexibility, making them a preferred choice for evolving hybrid workspaces in urban India.

As Indian corporates prioritize employee wellness, how are acoustic solutions being tied to measurable improvements in cognitive performance and stress reduction?

Acoustic solutions play a vital role in supporting employee well-being and cognitive performance, especially as Indian corporates increasingly prioritize workplace wellness.

Humans naturally perform better in quiet, acoustically balanced environments. However, exposure to content background noise—such as ambient office chatter or mechanical sounds—can significantly impair concentration and focus. This, in turn, leads to reduced productivity and engagement, ultimately affecting overall organizational performance.

Beyond productivity, prolonged exposure to a noisy work environment can also have serious health implications. Issues such as anxiety, irritability, mental fatigue, elevated stress levels, and even ear fatigue are commonly linked to poor acoustic conditions. In environments with excessive reverberation, employees may strain their voices to be heard - particularly during meetings presentations - leading to oval stress and reduced speech intelligibility.

Research supports the measurable impact of acoustic intervention. For instance, the integration of sound-masking systems in the IT and BPO sectors has been associated with a 10-20% improvement in task completion times due to reduced speech-related distractions. The use of acoustic pods or isolation booths has shown to increase attention spans by 20-40%, offering employees focused zones free from external disturbances. Furthermore, maintaining noise levels below 47 dBA SPL in acoustically treated environments has been lined to 12-18% fewer errors in cognitive and analytical tasks.

By creating calm, acoustically controlled workplaces, companies not only foster higher levels of productivity but also contributes to the psychological and physiological well- being of their workforce. In this context, acoustic design is no longer a luxury but a strategic investment in both employee health and business outcomes.

How will the rise of AI-driven acoustic modeling and real-time noise monitoring shape the future of personalized soundscapes in Indian workplaces?

AI-driven acoustic modeling and real-time noise monitoring are poised to revolutionize the way Indian workplaces manage sound, creating highly personalized and responsive acoustic environments.

Traditional approaches to acoustic treatment often rely on static designs and reactive adjustments. However, with the integration of artificial intelligence, workplaces can now move towards proactive, adaptive solutions that continuously monitor and optimize acoustic conditions in real time.

AI-driven acoustic modeling enables the simulation and prediction of sound behavior in complex office layouts before any physical installations take place. This helps designers and facility managers identify potential problem areas - such as zones with excessive reverberation, poor speech intelligibility, or disruptive echo patterns more accurately and efficiently.

Additionally, AI algorithms can analyze the interaction between different noise sources (like HVAC systems, traffic noise, or human conversation) and suggest optimal placement of acoustic materials or sound-masking devices.

Real-time noise monitoring systems powered by AI go a step further by learning patterns of workplace activity and adapting the soundscape accordingly. For instance, in hybrid or activity-based workspaces, AI can dynamically adjust sound masking levels, noise thresholds, or even activate white noise in response to changes in occupancy or noise intensity. This allows each zone or even each individual desk to maintain a personalized sound environment suited to the tasks at hand, whether it’s focused work, collaborative discussions, or virtual meetings.

In the Indian context, where offices often exist in dense, high-noise urban environments, this technology offers immense value. Many Indian corporations are now recognizing that acoustic comfort is directly tied to employees' productivity, mental well-being, and workplace satisfaction. As AI tools become more addressable and scalable, they will empower organizations to achieve better acoustic outcomes while reducing the need for costly trial-and-error installations.

Ultimately, the rise of AI in acoustics marks a shift from passive noise control to intelligent acoustic management, setting a new standard for how modern workplaces in India and beyond will designed and experienced.