Sound Masking vs White Noise: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever struggled with distracting office noise or wanted to improve speech privacy, you may have come across the terms sound masking and white noise. Many people assume they are the same thing, but they actually serve different purposes. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences that will help you determine which solution is right for you. What is White Noise? White noise is consistent, unstructured sounds that combines frequencies at the same intensity. It sounds like static or the hum of a fan and is often used to block out background noise. While it can be effective for masking some distractions, it isn’t tailored to specific environments, meaning it can sometimes become just another source of noise. What is Sound Masking? Sound masking is a more sophisticated and controlled approach to managing noise. Instead of producing random frequencies like white noise, sound masking technology emits a specifically engineered sound that blends into the background, making unwanted conversations and noises less noticeable. Unlike white noise, it is designed to match the frequency of human speech, which in turn, improves speech privacy and reduces distractions in office spaces, healthcare settings and other workplaces. Feature White Noise Sound Masking Sound Type Random, unstructured Engineered to match speech frequencies Purpose General noise reduction Speech privacy & distraction control Effectiveness Can be distracting itself Blends naturally into the background Common use Sleep aid, home environments Offices, healthcare, commercial spaces Comparison table Why Do People Get Them Confused? The confusion between sound masking and white noise comes from their shared goal of reducing noise distractions. However, sound masking is more advanced, as it’s designed to integrate seamlessly into an office environment to enhance privacy without adding disruptive background noise. How We Can Help If you’re looking to improve speech privacy and reduce distractions in your workplace, our expert sound masking solutions can help. We design and install tailored systems to create a more productive and comfortable environment. Get in touch today to learn more about how sound masking can transform your space!
