Noisy work environment - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

dhwilkin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2004, 09:30 PM

OK, so after a month at my new job, word came that our team was going to be moved from cubicle-ville to separate rooms in another building. Alright, sounds like a good deal. No more overhearing inane phone teleconferences (that just had to be put on speaker-phone), people not constantly walking by... yeah, sounds good. There was just one little catch, that I didn't know about until today...

... I'm now in the server room.

If any of you have ever been in a big company's typical server room (i.e. IBM), you know they don't care how much noise the things (or the A/C unit) make, so long as they're kept cool. Well, there's about five or six computers in a relatively small room, and it sounds like there's a small vacuum running in here. I'm having trouble thinking I can deal w/ this every work day. I share the room w/ one other person, but she doesn't seem to mind. I may just get a noise meter from Radio Shack and see exactly how loud it is in here.

I plan on seeing if I can get the noise level down any, but don't have much hope of that. Since I'm new, I doubt they'll let me go to another room (if there's even one available). Only other option I can think of is get some ear plugs. Any other options, I'd love to hear them. Also, recommendations on the best ear plugs? For reference, the Etys I have tend to feel uncomfortable after a few hours, so I need something more comfortable than them...

Demolition · #2 (**permalink**) 03-02-2004, 10:23 AM

Are you allowed to use headphones to listen to music? That would block some of the noise.

Otherwise, I'd suggest ear plugs or ear muffs. The muffs (e.g. from Elvex, Peltor, etc.) will block the most noise, but will probably get hot or uncomfortable after a while, especially if/when the server room heats up. The foam or plastic ear plugs also can get uncomfortable after prolonged wearing since they're either made of a hard material that irritates the ear or is constantly trying to expand. In that case, maybe you could try the moldable style of plugs made from beeswax.

D.

grinch · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2004, 04:21 PM

if you can't get used to etys, i'd suggest my work headphone: dt250-250. it's comfortable and isolates decently well (not ety isolation, but it's pretty good). pair it with a small amp or pdac and you're set.

i switched from etys to this at work because of the pain it was to take etys in and out all the time (talking to people, answering phone, etc.) and i've been really happy with the results.

Music Fanatic · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2004, 04:54 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about this. While there are a variety of noise blockers (earplugs et al) none of them are completely successful. Good luck!

dhwilkin · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2004, 01:35 AM

Well, the noise didn't seem so bad today. I'm not sure if one of the machines was off, or maybe it was because the door was open and they were supposed to be working on the A/C unit. Either way, I think I could tolerate today's level, if it stays around there.

And bump for other suggestions. I'll consider the Beyers grinch mentioned. How about the Senn 280? I think I remember reading about them being pretty good at isolation, how's the comfort over long periods?

ServinginEcuador · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2004, 01:43 AM

DEFINITELY get a sound pressure meter to check how loud it gets in that room as it can ruin your hearing and result in a lawsuit of a pretty big size for the employer. Check with the EPA guidelines about safe noise levels at work. The issue for your company can be approached from the angle of protecting themselves from a potential lawsuit if the noise levels are too high.

It isn't very comfortable to sit around for hours at a time with earmuffs on to block the sound that's too loud. Noise blocking or cancelling headphones would be a decent choice and an option to present to the company. Instead of spending a bunch of money to deaden the noise in that room, why not buy the employee a pair of QuietComfort II headphones and let them work away without a thought of the noise. Since they're so comfortable they would also be almost unnoticed during the work day.

Mr.PD · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2004, 01:52 AM

I noticed you commented on the Ety ear plug not working well for you.
I have tried those at my job. They won't stay sealed for me, and are very uncomfortable. I use EAR brand yellow foam plugs. I work riding on locomotives for anywhere from 4 to 12 hours a day. I have these plugs in the whole time I'm at work. Well excpet for when I'm listening to music through my Ety ER-4 with Ety foam tips.

If the noise in there is loud enough to bother you, it is probably loud enough to damage your hearing over a long period of exposure. Like a typical work week.

Oddball · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2004, 02:08 AM

Get these.

Music Fanatic · #9 (**permalink**) 03-03-2004, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oddball
Get these.

From the ad:

Quote:

A fair ampount of pressure is applied via the headband so comfort is not great.

Sounds wonderful.

Wodgy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-03-2004, 06:05 AM

I used to work in a fairly noisy office until they moved us to a much better building.

One thing I noticed that's worth mentioning is that most of the noise in a typical office (computers, fans, air conditioning, etc.) is under 250 Hz. This means that the noise floor for bass is much higher than the noise floor for other frequencies. The net result is that, if you're wearing headphones, there's less perceived bass. Balanced phones can sound midrange heavy or bright in a noisy office. It's worth choosing a closed headphone with strong bass (DT250-250 is good) for this reason. Or get an amp with bass boost.