If meetings are a trade, ideas are the currency.
One of the most effective ways to transfer an idea from one brain to another is through sound. However, disrupting that transfer of ideas is easier than you think. Something as simple as mic static could be costing you valuable ideas.
This is why clear audio should be a priority in every meeting room. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your meeting space audio.
3 Ways Audio Improves Team Productivity
The whole point of a meeting is productive communication. As verbal creatures, the sense we naturally associate with communication is hearing. Having intelligible audio means that everyone can take in and give back ideas.
1. Unity
Clear conferencing audio puts everyone on the same page. When your team members aren’t busy asking each other or internally wondering what someone just said, they get to focus on what matters most: collaboration.
2. Equity
Clear audio facilitates an environment where everyone can participate. When conversation flows freely, your team members can effectively express and share their ideas.
3. Flexibility
A good audio setup lets you accommodate any meeting scenario, especially in a hybrid workplace. Whether you’re dealing with boardroom audio in an office, conference room audio in a hotel, or even video conferencing from remote locations.
Video conference has established its place in meeting rooms and is here to stay. Make sure you can keep up with the hybrid work model and deliver quality audio to both ends of a videoconferencing call.
How Does Audio Intelligibility Affect Team Members?
We experience the effects of sound on humans on every level. From physiological, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral. Hence, clear audio helps the growth of your team members by:
- Enhancing information absorption and understanding
- Boosting morale by making everyone feel heard
- Improving confidence which encourages participation
So, how can you reap all these benefits in your meeting spaces? Let’s get into it!
How You Can Bring Clear Audio to Your Meetings
There’s more to good audio than just high-end equipment—although they certainly don’t hurt. Understanding your space and making small tweaks can already bring big improvements.
Determine the Flow of Communication
Are your team members around a conference table? Is it a conference with a lead speaker communicating to an audience? Do you have remote members who might feel alienated?
Each of these scenarios calls for a different audio setup, so adjust accordingly.
Understand the Acoustics of the Room
Identify the materials in your meeting space and their acoustic properties. For example, if there are many hard surfaces (tile, marble, glass, etc.), add materials like carpets, drapes, and sound absorption panels. These room treatments will help you improve audio intelligibility by keeping the original sound separated from natural echoes.
Investigate Background Noises
Studies show that even low-level office noise can increase health risks and lower motivation.
These could be:
- Ambient noises from adjacent rooms or outside
- Static noise from damaged or misused equipment
- Building noises from the HVAC or plumbing
An experienced AV technology partner will review these factors and help you solve your meeting room audio challenges.
Meet the Solution to Your Audio Challenges
The workplace keeps evolving through modern advancements. So make sure your audio strategy is evolving with it. Sometimes, having clear audio is just a matter of understanding your space and helping all your team members keep up with new technology.
Ditch those frustrating “what did they say?” questions and get the best technology solutions for your meeting space audio challenges. Get in touch with AV Solutions today!
