Is Sound Masking Worth It? What the Numbers Say

A smart investment for productivity, privacy, and peace of mind

In today’s workplaces, distractions are everywhere. Open offices, shared spaces, and thin walls can make it hard to focus and keep conversations private. Sound masking offers a simple solution — but is it worth the investment?

Let’s look at the numbers.

The Real Cost of Office Noise

According to research from Soft dB, the average office worker loses 21.5 minutes per day to conversational distractions. That adds up fast.

In an office with 200 employees, those lost minutes translate into hundreds of hours per week in reduced productivity — potentially costing over $500,000 per year depending on salary levels and work type.

And that’s just from distractions alone.

What Happens When You Add Sound Masking

Soft dB’s data shows that installing a professional sound masking system can lead to:

• A 10–25% boost in productivity

• Fewer errors on detailed tasks

• Fewer interruptions, leading to better focus and job satisfaction

• Improved speech privacy, which supports both professionalism and compliance

For organizations in sectors like healthcare, finance, or law — where confidentiality is critical — these benefits go beyond comfort. They build trust and meet expectations.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of a sound masking system generally ranges from $2.00 to $6.00 per square foot, depending on your space. That includes:

• Design and layout planning

• Hardware (emitters, controllers)

• Tuning and installation by a professional team

In a 10,000-square-foot office, you’re looking at around $20,000–$60,000 total. And once it’s installed, it quietly works in the background — no subscriptions, no apps, no extra steps for your staff.

When Does It Pay Off?

Soft dB’s ROI calculator shows that in many cases, sound masking pays for itself in less than 6 months.

If your team gets back even 10 minutes of focus a day per employee, that adds up to hundreds of productive hours regained each year — not to mention fewer distractions, fewer complaints, and a better working environment.

What About Beyond the Numbers?

The ROI goes further than productivity stats. Clients who install sound masking systems also notice:

• Quieter workspaces that feel calmer and more professional

• Easier private conversations, even in open areas or exam rooms

• Better first impressions from visitors and clients

It’s a change your staff and clients can feel — even if they can’t quite pinpoint why.

Final Thoughts

If your team works in an open-concept space, shared office, clinic, or anywhere sound travels too easily, sound masking is worth considering.

It’s not about making your space silent — it’s about making conversations harder to overhear, and easier to ignore.

And according to Soft dB, the benefits can be measured in both dollars and focus.

Want to See if It’s a Fit?

At Hillman AV, we install Canadian-made sound masking systems across Saskatchewan. Our team will review your space, explain what’s possible, and handle the install from start to finish.