Comments on: Cubicle Hell: Dealing with Distractions in an Open-Office Environment

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:37:10 +0000

Ask your office manager or facilities manager about using a sound masking system. I work with a system called Spectra from Lencore Acoustics and the feedback I get from clients is that it really works. It will make your co-workers speech unintelligible. The problem with blocking transmission of sound is that sound will still travel up and over – even in a private office. The sound masking raises the background noise so that it masks those conversations that you don’t want to listen to while still being able to focus on your work.

By: OBEX Panel Extenders

OBEX Panel Extenders — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:22:24 +0000

If you’re sitting next to or across from another worker, there’s also the option of increasing the height of the divider between workstations. That’s a good way to block out noise and help you concentrate. I’d recommend using an acoustic panel extender that’s designed to block the transmission of sound. Look for one made of materials with a high STC rating (the closer to 60, the better).

Shasta

By: Pooja Lohana

Pooja Lohana — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:57:48 +0000

Hi Annoyed,

We feel for you! Sure. Do try some of these tactics and let us know how you go.

-
Pooja

By: Annoyed

Annoyed — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:52:03 +0000

I sit next to a guy who won’t stop CHOMPING ON LOUD FOOD ALL DAY LONG….I wanna pull my hair out….I am going to try some of these suggestions to see if they help to block him out

By: Steven King

Steven King — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:57:21 +0000

Without a doubt…the solution I found for distracting noise in the cubicle environment was Flents earplugs + noise cancelling headphones connected to my iPad while playing playing Relaxing Melodies (Ocean, White noise, heavy rain, and ocean waves). This free app allows a beta wave setting of 20Mhz which purports to aid in concentration.

I will tell you this…until I hooked all this up, I was quite sure I would be looking for another job. With this setup, zero noise intrudes my concentration.

Feel free to email with questions.
-Steve
http://booksatthebeach.blogspot.com

By: Sound Cancelling Headphones

Sound Cancelling Headphones — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:32:46 +0000

By far the best thing I did at work was to invest in a good pair of sound/noise cancelling headphones. I work in a small office so the noise within the office isn’t so much of a concern however or building is next to a freeway so something had to be done!

By: Jenn

Jenn — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:34:34 +0000

Good points., especially #11. Communication in the office is key (as well as headphones). Thanks for the tip of the rain site.

By: Josh Arguello

Josh Arguello — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:53:12 +0000

I sit right next to someone who can’t handle the noise of the busy office; I hear a lot of heavy, loud sighs all day long…

I’ve found I need the music/headphones to drown out his sighs more than the ambient noise around me.