Call Center Soundproofing

A quieter environment is also an easier environment in which to stay focused. Being surrounded by noise can make employees feel distracted and even stressed. In a call center, noise can easily become a big, distracting problem. With soundproofing, you can enjoy a quieter environment in your call center, so employees can remain focused on their work without losing their train of thought or being distracted by the conversations going on around them.

Sound reduction in call centers is essential for maintaining a comfortable work environment for employees. When employees face daily complications while working, they might get frustrated or burnt out. You can experience higher turnover rates or absences, reducing the call center’s productivity and effectiveness. Sound reduction can manage employee needs while helping customers.

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Some companies may have the option of spreading out their employees to reduce noise disruption. Even if you don’t have extra room, you can seat employees strategically, putting employees who don’t speak on the phone regularly between those who do. This can work if you have some employees who focus on online communication, for example. You can also move noisy machines like printers to other areas, so they aren’t disruptive to call center staff.

You can also install partitions to block call center sounds from traveling between employees or to block sounds from other areas from entering your call center room. Soundproofing materials come in varying sound transmission class (STC) ratings, including some that can completely block even loud speech from bleeding through from one room to the next. Installing call center walls that have a high STC rating can be one of the most effective choices for call center noise reduction.

Many types of materials found in a typical office building are smooth and nonporous, such as glass, wood or concrete. These materials generally cause sound to bounce off and travel around the facility. Some materials can absorb sound more effectively and keep sound from spreading. These materials tend to be soft and porous or fibrous. By installing acoustic panels or other absorbent materials, you can prevent sound from bouncing around and disturbing employees.

If your company lacks space to allow employees to spread out, barriers can help you maintain closer configurations while blocking noise. Partitions and cubicles can block and absorb sound waves, creating fewer distractions in the call center.

Call center employees need various tools to help them work efficiently and effectively, from ergonomic furniture to monitors. When you want to reduce sound in the call center, you can eliminate noises at the source by investing in quiet equipment like silent keyboards.

Your employees need keyboards to type reports, send messages and emails or manage online chats with customers. With several call agents all typing simultaneously in one space, the sound can build and create significant background noise that becomes distracting for customers and employees. Silent keyboards get rid of the clicking noise, allowing your employees to operate without adding to noise levels.

Your equipment investments can also help you manage surrounding noises you can’t eliminate. Regardless of your setup, employees will be talking while another is on a call. You can help manage noise reduction with powerful headsets that block background noise. Noise-canceling headphones can eliminate sounds for your employees, ensuring they can hear your customers and address their concerns. Cardioid microphones only pick up sounds right in front of the mic, so your customers can clearly hear their call agent.

Your building’s materials and features can support your noise reduction initiatives. Carpeted spaces work well for call centers because plush materials better absorb soundwaves for excellent results and acoustics. Alternatively, tile, wood and linoleum flooring can create added noises and distractions, like shoes clacking, chairs moving and items dropping. They also exaggerate sounds and cause things to echo.

If you have the opportunity to renovate spaces, advocate to add carpet flooring. You can also integrate several rugs to help absorb sound for periods between space improvements.

How your employees communicate with each other can impact call center noise levels. Socializing is a great way to reduce stress and prevent burnout throughout the day, but it can also increase distractions and noise for others working with customers. Other employees might have questions or concerns they need to discuss with more senior employees or supervisors.

Apps and online messaging systems can help manage employee communication without adding to call center noise. Employees can individually message others or groups, supporting different communication needs and types in one place. Department heads can efficiently share widespread information while supervisors can provide feedback to individual employees.

When trying to manage and streamline call center communication, you can also designate functions to different areas. For example, you might limit the call center to only calls while encouraging employees to take breaks and socialize in kitchens or lounges. Conference rooms and other spaces can support group and department meetings.