{"id":668,"date":"2017-09-10T18:30:46","date_gmt":"2017-09-10T22:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.headset.com\/blog\/?p=668"},"modified":"2020-09-04T12:24:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-04T16:24:58","slug":"noise-in-the-office-call-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headset.com\/blog\/noise-in-the-office-call-center\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Manage Noise in the Call Center\/Office"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Noise in any office and especially in a call center can make or break a client\u2019s experience.
\nTo control noise levels and ensure that both your representative and client are heard, there are a few options to consider\u2026<\/div>\n
The 4 Ways to Improve Sound in an Office or Call Center<\/div>\n
Noise-cancelling microphones, binaural headsets, visual volume signals, & acoustic treatments<\/div>\n
\n
Noise Cancelling Microphones<\/div>\n

The simplest\u00ad\u2013and least expensive\u2013way to improve sound quality is headsets with noise cancelling microphones. There are four main designs:<\/p>\n

Unidirectional<\/div>\n
\n

A unidirectional microphone picks up the sound of the voice right in front of the mic. This tech is dated and professional headsets are scarcely still produced with this design.<\/p>\n

\"Unidirectional<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Voice Tube<\/div>\n
\n

A voice tube or sound tube is an adjustable boom that bends toward the user\u2019s mouth. The tube acts like an echo chamber\u2014taking the voice and ambient noise directly to the caller.\u00a0 For this reason, they are mostly practical for quiet or private offices.<\/p>\n

\"Voice<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Directional Noise Cancelling<\/div>\n
\n

Directional noise cancelling microphones are the current standard for headset manufacturers. These come with sensors on both sides of the mic. This way, redundant ambient noises cancel, reducing background noise as much as 80%.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ultra-Noise Cancelling<\/div>\n
\n

Ultra-Noise Cancelling is similar to directional noise cancelling, but uses many microphones to cancel or reduce unwanted sounds. These provide around 90% noise reduction!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Binaural Headsets<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Monaural<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Binaural<\/a>
Binaural<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Binaural headset designs cover both ears. This helps to fade environmental noise, so you can speak normally. Some binaural headsets have an Active Noise Cancellation\/Control feature. ANC fades out distracting sounds around you, allowing you to hear your caller in noisier environments.<\/p>\n

Binaural headsets can be used with ANC and a noise cancelling mic to maximize communication effectiveness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
Visual Sound Indicators<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>Visual sound indicators\u00ad\u2013such as the Jabra Noise Guide<\/a>\u2013train call center agents to keep their voices at a reasonable level. The Noise Guide is a portable device that monitors noise levels in open office environments. It provides two measurements: the ear measures live volume levels, whereas the panel at the bottom of the Noise Guide indicates the average sound level over the last 15 minutes. Use this with the provided analytics software to measure noise trends and identify problem areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
Acoustic Treatments<\/div>\n

Acoustic treatments are panels installed on a wall or ceiling. They work by absorbing, diffusing and stabilizing sound in different room environments. Also referred to as \u2018sound dampening\u2019, these can be the difference between a noisy office and a productive office, and should always be one of the first considerations of any open office design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


\nHere’s a few more tips to reduce noise in your call center or office:
\n<\/span>
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Privacy cubicles
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Designated eating or social area
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Webchat system available to agents and supervisors
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Email each other instead of shouting across the office
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Avoid meetings in the middle of a call center floor
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Put all noisy machines (like printers or copiers) in a self-contained room
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Use a series of doors and corridors to separate working areas
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seat same-shift agents together
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Review past calls to check for background noise
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Play recordings back to noisy agents to show them how loud they really are
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ban mobile phones or implement a policy to switch phones off
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Put artwork canvasses on the walls
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plants can cheer up an office as well as absorb noise
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 White Noise Machines can mask external ambient noise and improve the call experience for the agent and caller<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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