Improving office acoustics: What companies should check first

by Wiepa Team on Jun 25, 2026

Improving Office Acoustics: What Companies Should Check First

In Short

Before purchasing acoustic products, it should be clear whether the actual problem is reverberation, too many conversations in an open space, or a lack of quiet retreats. Each of these problems requires a different solution; a generic acoustic package rarely solves all of them simultaneously.

Good office acoustics are often only noticed when they are absent. Conversations, phone calls, printers, walkways, and open spaces can make focused work difficult. Therefore, before selecting products, it should be clarified where the disturbance originates.

Typical Causes of Poor Office Acoustics

  • too much reverberation in the room
  • many phone calls in an open space
  • lack of retreats for video calls
  • hard surfaces such as glass, concrete, or smooth floors
  • lack of zoning between work, communication, and reception

Which Solution Fits Which Problem?

For excessive reverberation, sound-absorbing wall or ceiling elements help. For many conversations, partitions, zoning, and retreats help. For phone calls and video conferences, phone booths or separate call areas can be useful.

Source and Guidance

For workplaces, the BAuA provides technical rules, including ASR A3.7 Noise. Source: BAuA – Technical Rules for Workplaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if reverberation is the main problem?

If conversations clearly echo or linger even from a distance, there is usually too little sound absorption in the room.

Are acoustic panels alone sufficient?

Often not; for many simultaneous conversations, zoning and retreats also help, not just absorption surfaces.

Where should one start with acoustic measures?

Preferably where complaints or concentration problems occur most frequently in everyday life, rather than generically throughout the entire office.

Further Wiepa Guides

Acoustics in Open-Plan Offices: Better Connecting Concentration and Communication
Phone Booths in the Office: When are They Worthwhile?

Conclusion

Office acoustics should always be considered in terms of the specific room and its use. You can find more information on our page Acoustic Solutions for Offices and Work Areas.

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