Working in Open-Plan Offices

Many companies have opted for open-plan workspaces because they can foster communication and teamwork. And this trend, largely inspired by the practices of tech companies, does have some advantages. However, an open-plan layout can also create some challenges for workers, whether or not they have hearing loss.

After all, most workplaces have no shortage of ambient noises: phones ringing, printers running, colleagues chatting… All of these noises, while they may seem harmless at first, can have a major impact on workers and their productivity. The volume can rise quickly in open spaces, and studies have shown that this can affect workers’ physical and mental health, and even their quality of life.

According to a study entitled Workspace satisfaction: The privacy-communication trade-off in open-plan offices, this type of layout leads to distractions, which in turn affect productivity. Nearly 50% of the workers surveyed mentioned that the lack of acoustic privacy was an issue for them, while about 30% mentioned the lack of visual privacy. In addition, a 2016 survey conducted by the JNA Association revealed that one in five employees lose more than 30 minutes of work per day because of noise. The same study showed that nearly six in ten employees found that their work was disrupted by noise from their coworkers.

Noise reduces the ability to concentrate and leads to auditory fatigue, both of which affect productivity. That’s why it’s important to establish practices to limit the effects of noise in open-plan offices.

When companies choose an open-plan arrangement, they need to pay close attention to design in order to manage noise levels. While the main purpose of this type of layout is to foster collaboration, it’s important to take auditory ergonomics into consideration.

Even something as simple as adding partitions between desks can improve acoustics and limit noise. The same is true of adding absorbent materials to the walls and ceilings. Employers may also choose to create smaller open-plan spaces, with only a few desks in each, so that employees are working in small groups.

It’s also important to remember that some workers have hearing loss, which presents an additional challenge. Some may also wear hearing aids. Fortunately, technology has evolved to the point where hearing aids can be equipped with noise reducers and multiple features to manage noise (such as automatic noise-reduction systems and directional microphones). This allows them to process all noises, reducing discomfort and improving the wearer’s understanding of speech.

If you feel that the noise in your workplace causes you to be uncomfortable or more tired at the end of the day or if you think your hearing has changed, don’t hesitate to request a free* hearing health consultation.

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