Office noise: some people find the chatter and buzz fun and motivating, others find it seriously unpleasant, distracting or distressing. Decreased sound tolerance or sensory overload can pose a real challenge for some neurodiverse employees at work – and these colleagues will be far happier, more productive and give of their best when we can offer a good solution.
Ergonomic noise cancelling headsets are a valuable and simple tool for managing sensory input in the workplace. In an inclusive culture at work, these headphones can be a powerful workplace adjustment.
But not all office headsets manage noise in the same ways. This blog will guide neurodiverse employees and employers in how to choose a headset. We’ll look at the best noise cancelling headsets with mic available, and introduce you to the difference between ‘active’ noise cancellation and ‘passive’ noise cancellation. Which will be right for your needs and which headset models are recommended by neurodiversity experts?
It's important to present equal opportunities to your employees with sensory processing disorders, as part of your approach to inclusive workplace design. Someone who has autism spectrum disorder, for example, interacts with the world differently to a neurotypical person. One small piece of working kit such as the right headset can make a world of difference when you’re neurodiverse.
The National Autistic Society explains that “Many autistic people have sensory differences, meaning they can experience over or under sensitivity to different sensory stimuli (for example, light or sound). This can be a positive thing, but can also cause distress or discomfort.”
Noise cancelling headsets can also help with challenges presented by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) traits at work. The headset can help reduce distractions, and therefore enhance focus. “ADHD seems to exacerbate and exaggerate everything - especially our senses” says ADDitude. “If you taste, smell, or hear in extremes, you’re not alone.”
What’s the difference between an active and passive headset?
One of the first things to decide when choosing your noise cancelling headset with mic is whether you want passive or active noise cancellation from your headset.
1. Passive
This type of noise cancellation on a headset blocks out noise picked up by the microphone. Passive noise cancellation is ideal if you take a lot of calls at work, and it’s ideally suited to office workers in noisy environments such as call centres. It will help you hear the person you’re speaking to on a call more clearly, and give a clear line to allow them to hear you clearly too.
2. Active
Active noise cancelling headsets use innovative technology to drastically reduce the level of office chatter noise. The technology detects and analyses the pattern of incoming sound, and then generates an “anti-noise” mirror signal to cancel it out.
Choose Active Noise Cancellation to create a solo working environment and reduce sensory overload for neurodiverse employees. ANC can be turned off to prevent you feeling left out and isolated. When there’s an offer of a cup of tea, you won’t miss it! The clever design of ANC headsets creates a natural sound block with the padded and shaped ear cushions, but still allow a little of the environmental noise.
David Mitchell from Posturite tells me “Many neurodiverse people I speak to can cope with certain office noises such as a radio playing and the sound of people using their keyboards. But then add in the people all trying to speak in a loud room over each other it, and it becomes overwhelming and creates the sensory overload feeling. ANC headsets are so helpful with this.”
Helpfully, active noise cancellation headsets also give you the option to choose passive noise cancellation when you want it, so you’ll have both options.
Remember there’s no ‘one size fits all’ with workplace adjustments (aka ‘reasonable adjustments) and to get the best personalised recommendations from an expert who listens to what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable at work, get a Workplace Needs Assessment from Posturite’s enablement team. The assessor will have a superb overview of all the office equipment on the market, and which would support you to thrive.
Next, we’ll look at the two headset options in more detail:
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Headsets
A good example of an ‘active’ headset for neurodiverse employees is the Wired EPOS IMPACT 860T ANC Headset with mic. ‘ANC’ stands for ‘Active Noise Cancellation’ and it filters out unwanted background noise.
It can help employees to stay focused and productive even in noisy workplaces. Remember that too much noise in the office can make people feel more fatigued and less productive.
The features to highlight on the EPOS IMPACT 860T ANC Headset with its affordable price point are:
- Wired
- Uses electronic sound waves to cancel background noise.
- Ideal for high-noise environments.
- Hybrid adaptive ANC; the built-in Active Noise Cancellation will adapt to the surrounding noise level and only use as much ANC as you need at that time. This reduces the feeling of ‘occlusion’ in situations where you don’t need a high level of ANC. Occlusion makes your own voice loud and you might hear boomy sounds when chewing – unpleasant.
- EPOS BrainAdapt™ technologies that work together to improve cognitive performance by reducing the energy it takes our brain to process sound.
- Industry-leading voice pickup by EPOS AI™.
- Certified for Microsoft Teams.
- Super wideband and stereo sound.
- Plug-and-play connectivity via USB-C cable.
- Lightweight design, soft breathable cushions, and comfortable headband padding
- Weighs 159 g
Another great choice for an ‘active’ headset for neurodiverse employees is the wireless Jabra Evolve2 75 Headset with mic.
These Jabra headphones for the office offer both a Performance Mode and a Discreet Mode.
- Performance Mode, with the microphone boom-arm down, is ideal for making calls in open-plan offices and other noisy places.
- Discreet Mode, with its hide-away design, is for when your employee is on the go, and makes the headset pretty much invisible, while still enjoying clear calls.
Further features of the Jabra Evolve2 75, an on-ear headset popular with neurodiverse employees, are:
- Wireless.
- Bluetooth connectivity for two devices. You can interchange between the laptop for work calls and meetings and your personal device for music – this can help some neurodiverse employees focus.
- Curved microphone arm.
- You can select the level of noise cancellation you’d like, and let the advanced feedforward and feedback dual hybrid ANC work to protect your focus.
- Optimised busylight, making it even clearer to your colleagues when you’re on a call.
- Ultra-soft leatherette headband.
- Pressure-reducing ear cushion.
- Weighs 197 g.
Passive Noise Cancelling Headsets
Next, here are two good choices of office headsets with mic and with passive noise cancellation for employees. These are more suited to people who aren't impacted by the noise in their environment, or work in a quieter area but prioritise the importance of clear calls:
How to choose a headset with noise cancellation for neurodiverse employees
Personal preferences and comfort
Let’s explore the advantages of over-ear vs. in-ear headsets.
Pros of over-ear headphones:
- Potential for greater comfort. Some ergonomists feel the large ear cups distribute weight more comfortably around the ear, and across the headband.
- Over-ear headphones can more effectively recreate a realistic sense of space than in-ears.
- Often better noise reduction on the over-ear models. This could be key for neurodiverse employees.
- Look at the battery life – over-ear can offer longer battery life than smaller in-ear options.
Pros of in-ear headphones:
- They are smaller and therefore more portable.
Compatibility with office communication tools
Check the compatibility of your noise cancelling headset with mic with software and tools used in the office including Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom & UC certification. Get advice from the Posturite enablement team who will be helpful on equipment compatability.
By the way, the ‘UC’ in a ‘UC Certified’ headset stands for Unified Communications and means that you have compatibility with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco WebEx, and more.
Key features to look for in a headset with noise cancellation
- Wired vs. wireless headset? Some neurodivergent employees like the movement enabled by a wireless headset – you’re not tethered to a desk! Vikki Greer has ADHD discusses how important variety and movement are to her in her blog ‘My workplace adjustments for ADHD – and my advice to others.’ A wired ergonomic headset doesn’t offer the same level of freedom as wireless headsets, but you can still enjoy comfortable hands-free calls with lower musculoskeletal risk than using an ordinary phone.
- What’s the battery life and charging options (for wireless headsets)?
- What kind of microphone does it offer?
- How easy and intuitive are the volume and call control features?
- Does it fold up for portability?
- Does the headset come with a case? The EPOS IMPACT 860T ANC Headset comes with a cute carry pouch to protect it.
What’s the difference between a headset and headphones?
A headset has an attached boom-microphone and is popular for work, whereas headphones often have an integrated microphone and it might not be attached or visible. Headphones are more often used for leisure time.
How much noise should an office headset block out?
Choose the right level of noise isolation based on:
- The job role
- The environment
- Individual needs
You’ll of course have different needs for noise cancellation in open-plan offices and home offices. But don’t assume a homeworking environment will be quiet – your neurodiverse employees working remotely might well still need to block out noise from housemates, their partner (also potentially working from home), neighbours, traffic and neighbouring businesses.
Make your decision based on balancing noise reduction with situational awareness.
Have a designated quiet space in your workplace
As well as offering headsets, consider creating a quiet space within your workplace that is slightly tucked away, to help make your workplace inclusive for neurodivergent individuals. You could offer reduced noise and lighting here, for when the hectic office environment becomes too much. Your neurotypical colleagues will no doubt enjoy it too.
Research from University College London shared by the National Autistic Society looked into how neurodivergent students can be better supported, and 92% of the people surveyed state a quiet space would be beneficial.
Final thoughts
Around 1 in 7 people are estimated to be neurodivergent in the UK. So you can see the importance of and value in getting workplace adjustments right, and ergonomic noise cancelling headsets can be a simple but effective help for your neurodivergent employees to thrive at work.
We’ve explored here how sound sensitivity is one of many sensory issues that can affect a neurodivergent person. Take a look for example, at the comments from people with ADHD on the ADDitude website, giving examples of the noises that intensely irritate them:
Tracy: "Repetitive sounds like ticking clocks, dripping taps. Ugh."
Ramon: "People chewing with their mouths open."
Lisa: "Eating utensils scraping the plate...makes my teeth want to crumble and fall out."
No one can do their best work when they’re experiencing these responses to noise. That headset could make a hugely positive impact on wellbeing and performance at work.
For expert and personalised advice, book Workplace Needs Assessments to support your valued neurodivergent employees.
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