Sensory ergonomics and acoustics impact cognitive productivity

Optimizing sensory ergonomics—specifically acoustics, lighting, and climate—is becoming a critical factor in maintaining cognitive performance and productivity in modern workspaces.

In office environments, the ‘Irrelevant Speech Effect’ poses a significant challenge. Research, including studies by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), indicates that the brain’s inability to ignore background speech can reduce cognitive performance during complex tasks by up to 30 percent. To combat this, experts suggest placing sound absorbers at ear level (approximately 1.20 meters) rather than on ceilings to effectively break up speech sounds.

In residential and home office settings, hard surfaces like glass and concrete contribute to excessive reverberation. When reverberation times exceed 0.5 seconds, it can lead to increased cortisol levels, fatigue, and decreased concentration. Utilizing acoustic wood panels with slat structures and felt backing can mitigate these effects by breaking up sound waves and converting acoustic energy into heat, thereby creating a quieter environment.