Sound is a constant presence in today’s work environments. Whether it’s conversations in an open-plan office, confidential discussions in a medical setting, or call center chatter in high-density work zones, poorly managed sound can disrupt focus, compromise privacy, and hurt productivity. That’s where sound masking systems come in. Installed thoughtfully, these systems reduce distractions, create acoustic privacy, and improve the overall experience for your employees and clients.
At Taylored Systems, we help Indiana businesses implement sound masking systems that match the way they work. Our team designs every solution with real-world use in mind, starting with how your teams collaborate and where speech privacy matters most. From initial acoustic assessments to long-term support, we take a business-first approach that ensures your sound masking system performs effectively and integrates seamlessly with your broader environment.
A Strategic Approach to Sound Masking
Sound masking systems work best when they’re aligned with your business structure, office layout, and communication patterns. Taylored Systems builds every solution around your needs, not off a generic spec sheet or catalog recommendation. By focusing on design strategy and long-term functionality, we make sure your system adds measurable value to your workday.
Assessing Your Space, Not Just Square Footage
Many providers use square footage as the starting point for their design. We take it a step further by looking at your specific floorplan, department layout, and employee density. Open offices, enclosed offices, and shared areas like kitchens or corridors all require different masking strategies. Our goal is to optimize coverage without overengineering your space.
Matching System Design to Business Function
The way your team works should directly inform how your masking system performs. For instance, areas with high-volume phone use might require more aggressive masking, while executive offices might need a quieter ambient level. We tailor the solution to fit how your team uses each zone, not just where desks are located.
Supporting Post-Install Adjustments and Growth
Your sound environment can evolve as your business changes. We design systems that can be tuned or expanded without starting from scratch. As your staff grows or your space shifts, we’re here to help rezone, adjust volume settings, or add coverage so your system continues to perform over time.
Start With a Detailed Acoustic Assessment
Before any hardware is installed, a sound masking system needs a clear understanding of your acoustic baseline. Taylored Systems begins every project with a comprehensive site review to evaluate the current noise levels, the physical layout, and the types of work happening in each space.
Measuring Baseline Noise Levels Across Zones
We measure ambient sound levels across different zones of your building. These readings help us understand how loud your office is during peak hours, how sound behaves across materials, and where speech intelligibility is already too high. This provides a foundation for targeted masking that blends smoothly into the existing environment.
Mapping Workspace Types (Open, Enclosed, Hybrid)
Sound behaves differently in open-plan offices compared to enclosed rooms or hybrid layouts. We identify how each department or team is arranged and plan zones accordingly. A conference room next to an open office might require masking in both areas, but the tuning and speaker layout will be completely different.
Accounting for HVAC, Ceiling Type, and Materials
Mechanical systems, ceiling height, and surface materials all affect how sound travels. We factor in ductwork noise, open vs. drop ceilings, and reflective surfaces like glass or polished floors that amplify sound. The more accurately we assess the physical environment, the more effective your masking will be.
Identifying Sensitive Areas: HR, Legal, Healthcare
Certain departments have higher speech privacy requirements. HR offices, legal teams, counseling areas, and healthcare practices must meet specific confidentiality standards. We call out these zones early in the process to ensure they receive focused attention in both system layout and performance tuning.
Tailor the System to Match Your Workflow
No two workforces are alike. Your team’s job functions, communication styles, and client interactions all influence how sound masking should be implemented. Taylored Systems adapts each deployment to support specific industries and real-world use cases.
Open Offices and Creative Teams
Creative and collaborative teams thrive in open environments—but they also face more distractions. Sound masking helps limit ambient chatter, improving focus while still allowing team members to communicate freely. It provides a smoother acoustic experience that doesn’t interfere with collaboration.
Healthcare and Confidential Consultations
Medical offices require consistent speech privacy to maintain patient confidentiality. We configure sound masking systems for waiting rooms, intake areas, and exam rooms so that conversations remain secure. These setups are calibrated to meet HIPAA guidelines while supporting staff workflow.
Financial Institutions and Client-Facing Spaces
Banks, credit unions, and financial advisors need to protect client information. Our sound masking solutions reduce the risk of sensitive conversations being overheard in shared offices or open floorplans. The result is a more professional and discreet client experience.
Call Centers and High-Density Seating
In call centers or help desks, high call volume creates constant noise. Sound masking helps prevent cross-talk between reps while lowering overall stress from noise fatigue. We design systems that balance noise reduction with speech clarity for efficient team communication.
Speaker Placement and Zoning Best Practices
Proper speaker layout is critical for performance. A well-designed sound masking system uses consistent spacing, clear zoning, and careful coordination with your space’s infrastructure to ensure even sound distribution and predictable results.
Uniform Speaker Spacing for Even Distribution
We follow consistent spacing patterns to distribute masking sound evenly throughout each zone. This prevents areas from sounding “louder” or “quieter” than others, which can draw attention and reduce effectiveness. Uniformity is key for comfort.
Avoiding Over- or Under-Masking
Too much masking can be distracting, while too little fails to protect privacy. We tune systems to a level that blends into the background—audible but not obvious. This balance ensures speech is covered without creating a new source of irritation.
Creating Independent Zones by Department or Function
Each department may require different masking levels. Sales floors, HR departments, and executive suites often have different acoustic goals. We create independent zones with their own controls so that volume and tuning match the unique needs of each team.
Working Around HVAC, Lighting, and Cable Pathways
Sound masking speakers often share ceiling space with lights, HVAC ducts, and data cabling. We plan speaker placement around these existing systems, avoiding interference while maintaining optimal sound coverage.
Coordinating With Ceiling Types (Drop, Open, Hard)
The type of ceiling influences how sound is emitted and absorbed. In open ceilings, we may suspend directional emitters. In drop ceilings, speakers are typically installed in the plenum above tiles. We adjust for each condition to maintain performance and aesthetics.
Planning for Future Layout Changes
Office layouts change frequently. We install speaker grids and cabling paths that support reconfiguration without requiring complete system redesign. This makes your sound masking system more adaptable over time.
Control Settings That Support Comfort and Privacy
A sound masking system should never call attention to itself. Comfort depends on fine-tuned settings that match the environment while providing consistent privacy protection. We calibrate systems to suit how your team uses the space throughout the day.
Setting Volume for Ambient Blend, Not Intrusion
Volume levels are set to blend into the ambient soundscape. The goal is to make background conversations unintelligible without creating a noticeable hum. We avoid sudden volume spikes or harsh tones that could draw attention.
Adjusting for Time-of-Day Patterns
Office noise fluctuates during the day. We offer programmable settings that raise or lower masking levels depending on time, shift changes, or building occupancy. This helps maintain acoustic consistency without manual intervention.
Customizing Per Zone: Focus vs. Collaboration Areas
Not every part of the office needs the same masking intensity. Heads-down work areas may need stronger coverage, while collaboration zones benefit from lighter touch. We calibrate masking to match the function of each space.
Calibrating Frequencies for Speech Privacy
Sound masking systems use specific frequency ranges to target human speech. We tune these frequencies carefully to ensure maximum privacy without interfering with other audio systems or making voices sound unnatural.
Integrate With Existing Systems
Sound masking doesn’t have to be complicated. Taylored Systems ensures your new system works alongside your existing infrastructure, including paging, background music, and IT networks. We aim for clean integration, not added complexity.
Combining Paging and Masking When Appropriate
Some businesses prefer to use the same speaker system for both paging and masking. We configure those systems to avoid conflicts between announcements and ambient sound levels. Volume adjustments happen automatically when paging is triggered.
Avoiding Overlap With Background Music Systems
If you already use background music, we coordinate both systems so that masking doesn’t interfere with tone or clarity. Our design process avoids audio conflicts and ensures consistent acoustic performance across environments.
Coordinating Power and Cabling With Existing Infrastructure
We work with your facilities or IT team to install cabling and power sources that align with existing standards. This reduces disruption, simplifies maintenance, and ensures your sound masking system integrates seamlessly into your broader environment.
Test, Train, and Fine-Tune Post Installation
Installation is only the beginning. To get the best results, your team needs to understand the system, and your provider should be available to adjust settings after deployment. Taylored Systems includes testing, training, and follow-up support with every sound masking project.
Walkthrough Testing With End Users
After installation, we perform a full walkthrough to verify coverage and consistency. Our team tests masking levels at multiple locations and confirms performance matches design expectations.
Collecting Staff Feedback on Comfort
We encourage staff to share feedback during the first few weeks after deployment. If certain areas feel too quiet or too loud, we revisit those zones and make targeted adjustments. User comfort is essential for long-term success.
Adjusting Zones or Levels as Teams Settle In
Your team’s workflow may evolve in the months after installation. We remain available to help adjust zone boundaries, change volume settings, or reassign control permissions as needed. Flexibility is built into every system we install.
Build a Workplace That Sounds Like Success
Acoustic privacy is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity in modern work environments. When properly designed and installed, sound masking systems reduce stress, support confidentiality, and create a more productive space for everyone. These systems help people focus, collaborate, and communicate without distraction.
Taylored Systems approaches sound masking as part of your broader workplace strategy. We evaluate how your business runs, where privacy matters most, and how your team can benefit from improved acoustic control. Our solutions are designed to adapt, scale, and integrate without unnecessary complexity.
If your office struggles with noise complaints, confidentiality issues, or frequent distractions, it may be time to invest in a better acoustic environment. Contact Taylored Systems today to schedule a personalized consultation and explore how our sound masking solutions can support your people and your performance.