Confidentiality is crucial at a therapist’s office. No one wants privacy to be compromised by thin walls allowing conversations to travel.
A sound machine emits white noise, which can be used to effectively mask private conversations. They also help create a soothing and relaxing environment.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the benefits of a sound machine for therapists, and how to choose one for your office.
What Is A Sound Machine?
A sound machine is a device that creates a looping background noise, such as white noise and nature sounds.
They’re often used to help people fall asleep, but they’re also popular in office settings, as they can potentially increase productivity by masking distracting noises. For therapists, sound machines can be used to cover confidential conversations, and create a relaxing environment.
Sound machines for therapists typically use white noise. White noise is made up of sounds emitted at every audible frequency, in the same way white light is made of every visible light frequency.
White noise creates a masking effect, absorbing other sound waves so that they don’t reach your brain.
At home, white noise can disguise distracting noises from the street, making it easier to fall asleep. In the therapist’s office, white noise can blanket and mask confidential conversations.
Benefits Of Sound Machines For Therapists
A sound machine is a small device that can have a big impact on your office environment. Here are some reasons why you should consider using a sound machine:
Masking Confidential Conversations
The primary use of a sound machine in a therapist’s office is to prevent eavesdropping, both intentional and unintentional. The conversations that occur in your office are confidential.
You wouldn’t intentionally share them with anyone, but you also want to avoid unintentionally sharing them. In some cases, privacy can be compromised by poor sound insulation.
When you hear a conversation, it’s human instinct to pick up on what’s being said. No big deal in the grocery store, but potentially dangerous in a therapist’s office.
Additionally, if a client can hear your conversations as they wait for their appointment, they’ll know their own session isn’t completely private, and may feel unable to talk freely.
If your office has excellent sound proofing, then this might not be an issue. However, there can still be benefits to a sound machine.
Creating A Relaxing Environment
White noise can help people relax, as it masks distracting sounds. That’s part of the reason why people use sound machines to help themselves fall asleep—the repeating background sound can lull. And without those other noises, it’s also easier to focus, and shut out the rest of the world.
A white noise machine in the waiting room can help your client prepare for their appointment, by placing them in a relaxed and focused headspace. In your office, the white noise machine can serve a similar purpose.
How Many White Noise Machines Does A Therapist Office Need?
To find the right amount of sound machines for your practice, you have to consider the space itself. A small office may only need one sound machine to effectively mask the noise of an appointment.
But for a larger office building, you might need several. This will prevent confidential conversations being audible in the waiting room and hallway.
You may want to place the sound machine in your office. Here, the repeating frequencies of white noise can help your client relax.
But you might find the sound masking works better when the machine is outside. There’s no right answer. Just experiment until you find positioning that works for you.
How To Choose A Sound Machine For A Therapy Office
A sound machine for a therapy office can be quite a basic item. Essentially, all you need is a machine that can produce white noise. Volume control is helpful, as you can ensure accurate sound masking with fewer machines.
Consider the power source, as well. Some sound machines use power cables, while others require batteries. If you want a sound machine for relaxation as well as sound masking, look for options with soothing nature sounds.
Best Sound Machines For Therapists
Marpac Dohm Classic Original White Noise Machine
Using a real fan to create white noise, the YogaSleep Marpac Dohm Original White Noise Machine is a simple, classic choice. It comes with fewer options than other sound machines, but the customizable fan speed provides exceptional sound blocking.
LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine
The LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine offers a flexible white noise experience which can be easily adjusted to suit your needs.
With precise volume control and ambient noise variations such as pink noise and brown noise, this can mask a range of voices in even a small space.
SNOOZ Smart White Noise Machine
The SNOOZ Smart White Noise Machine is pricey compared to other options, but it does have the benefit of app control. This will allow you to make adjustments from your office,
The SNOOZ Smart White Noise Machine also uses a real fan (without the cold air) to create a background noise.
This means there’s no looping, so your brain can’t get stuck on repeating sounds. Mostly, this helps people fall asleep, but the lack of looping can also add to the relaxing environment you strive to create in the waiting room.
Housbay White Noise Machine
Aesthetics aren’t going to be your top concern when choosing a sound machine, but the Housbay White Noise Machine can add a touch of style to your therapy office.
The wood effect finish can also help the machine to blend into the surroundings. The Housbay machine creates nature sounds, as well as white noise.
Summary
A sound machine creates white noise, a sound that emits all audible frequencies to mask other noises. This can obscure confidential conversations from potential eavesdroppers, while also creating a relaxing environment.
Relatively inexpensive and easy to use, a sound machine can be a huge benefit to your therapist’s office. Consider investing in one if your office has thin walls that enable sounds to travel.