If you’ve ever tried to focus in an open office, you know the soundtrack: keyboards clacking, phones buzzing, someone microwaving fish (why always fish?), and the enthusiastic sales call happening just a little too loudly two desks over.

Noise isn’t just an annoyance, it’s productivity kryptonite. Research from University of California, Irvine shows that interruptions can cost up to 23 minutes and 15 seconds to refocus on a task, meaning several interruptions can quickly gobble up hours of productive time

The good news? You don’t have to surrender your focus to the chaos. With smart strategies and the right A/V tools, you can build sound barriers, literally and figuratively, that help your team get back in the zone.

Here are 10 practical ways to cut distractions and focus better at work.

1. MASTER THE ART OF ZONING

Before adding gadgets or panels, step back and think: does your office layout encourage productivity or chaos? Creating zones for different types of work, quiet focus zones, collaborative areas, and social spaces, instantly reduces noise bleed.

Vivo’s Design Services help businesses rethink their space to match how teams actually work. By designing smarter floor plans, you create natural “sound barriers” that cut down on unnecessary interruptions.

2. EMBRACE MODERN ACOUSTIC PANELS

Walls don’t need to look like padded cells to reduce noise. Modern acoustic panels come in sleek finishes and even double as décor. Think of them as noise-canceling headphones for your walls.

Installing panels around meeting areas or near high-traffic hallways absorbs excess sound and keeps conversations from traveling. Plus, clients won’t feel like they’re shouting over the office hum when they visit.

3. UPGRADE YOUR CONFERENCE ROOM MICROPHONES

Here’s a sneaky culprit of office noise: conference calls on speakerphone. When half the room is shouting “Can you hear me now?” it adds to the chaos.

Solutions like the Nureva HDL410 or Logitech Rally Mic Pods, ensure crystal-clear audio. These systems capture voices across the room evenly, so people don’t need to yell. Bonus: fewer side comments spill into the open office.

4. WHITE NOISE IS YOUR FRIEND

It sounds counterintuitive, fight noise with more noise, but white noise machines or apps can mask distracting sounds by blending them into the background.

Think of it as sonic camouflage. The hum makes chatter fade into obscurity, like background characters in a sitcom.

5. SOUND MASKING SYSTEMS FOR THE WIN

For bigger spaces, take white noise to the next level. Professional sound masking systems evenly distribute low-level background sound across the office, making conversations unintelligible from a distance.

It’s not about adding volume; it’s about improving privacy. Whether HR is handling sensitive conversations or your developers are heads-down coding, sound masking keeps things comfortable.

6. A VIDEO BAR THAT REDUCES ECHO

Ever notice how echo-y conference calls spill into the office like an accidental loudspeaker? A device like the DTEN Bar include built-in echo cancellation, meaning fewer distractions for those not in the meeting.

Plus, they help remote participants hear better, so the whole “Can you repeat that?” loop doesn’t double the meeting length.

7. HEADSETS THAT CANCEL THE WORLD

Sometimes the best solution is personal. Equipping employees with headsets like the Logitech Zone Wireless or Poly Voyager Free 60+ allows them to block out office chatter and stay tuned into their own work.

Not only do they improve focus, but they also prevent “accidental eavesdropping” on your neighbor’s dentist appointment scheduling.

8. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MEETING ROOM ENCLOSURES

Glass-walled huddle rooms may look sleek, but sound bounces off them like a pinball machine. Investing in rooms with proper acoustic sealing, or retrofitting with barriers, blinds, or curtains, creates physical sound buffers.

Pair these rooms with Logitech Rally Bar Bundles from Vivo, and you’ll have a private, distraction-free space to collaborate.

9. ESTABLISH A “QUIET CULTURE”

Not every fix comes from hardware. Sometimes it’s about setting expectations. Encourage your team to use collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom Rooms for quick questions instead of talking across the floor.

By leaning on digital communication tools, you reduce random outbursts and keep conversations contained. Vivo not only provides these licenses but also designs the best setups to integrate them seamlessly.

10. BRING IN THE PROS

Finally, there’s no need to DIY your way to workplace peace. Partnering with an AV integrator (like Vivo) ensures your sound barriers are designed, deployed, and supported by experts.

From acoustic design to device installation and ongoing support through Vivo Care, professional integration helps you tackle noise at every level, while making sure the tech actually works together.

THE ROI OF SILENCE

Cutting distractions isn’t just about comfort. When employees can focus, projects move faster, mistakes drop, and stress decreases. Think of every reduced distraction as reclaiming time and money.

With the right mix of soundproofing strategies, and modern A/V equipment from Vivo, you can transform the noise into a non-issue.

Because at the end of the day, the only thing your team should be hearing is the sweet sound of productivity.

WHY PARTNER WITH VIVO

Noise reduction isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix. Every office has its quirks, from wide-open layouts to oddly shaped conference rooms that double as echo chambers. That’s where Vivo comes in.

At Vivo, we don’t just sell products, we design entire collaboration ecosystems. Our team of experts takes the time to understand how your teams work, where distractions creep in, and what technology will actually make a difference. From sound masking systems to best-in-class microphones, speakers, and video bars, we help you build environments where communication is crystal-clear and distractions fade into the background.

But we don’t stop at installation. Through Vivo Care, our ongoing support program, we partner with you long-term to make sure your collaboration tools keep performing at their best. Whether you’re rolling out Zoom Rooms, upgrading to Teams-certified devices, or exploring next-gen products from our partners like Logitech, Poly, and Nureva, Vivo is your advocate and guide.