How Can I Reduce Background Noise During Calls?

Background noise during calls can be a major distraction, affecting communication and making it difficult for participants to focus. Whether you’re working from home, in a coffee shop, or attending a conference, minimizing unwanted sounds ensures that your conversations remain clear and professional. Here are several effective strategies to reduce background noise during calls:

1. Use a High-Quality Microphone or Headset

One of the most effective ways to reduce background noise is to invest in a high-quality microphone or headset with noise-canceling capabilities. These devices are specifically designed to filter out ambient sounds and capture your voice more clearly. A good headset with a built-in microphone, for example, ensures that your voice is the primary sound being transmitted, rather than the noises around you. Many headsets feature passive or active noise-canceling technology that minimizes background noise and improves sound quality.

2. Enable Noise Cancellation Features in Software

Many modern conference call platforms, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype, offer built-in noise cancellation features. These settings are designed to filter out unwanted noises, such as keyboard typing, background chatter, or traffic sounds, while preserving the clarity of human speech. Before your call, make sure to enable these features in the software’s settings. If your software doesn’t have noise cancellation, you can also use third-party noise-reduction tools to enhance the audio quality during calls.

3. Mute Yourself When Not Speaking

A simple yet effective way to minimize background noise during a call is by muting yourself when you are not speaking. This prevents any environmental noise from being transmitted to other participants and helps maintain clarity during the conversation. Most conference call platforms have a “mute” button that allows you to easily mute and unmute yourself as needed. Always remember to unmute yourself before speaking!

4. Choose a Quiet Location

Selecting an ideal environment for your call is essential. If you work from home or another shared space, try to find a room or area that is as quiet as possible. Close doors, windows, and curtains to block out external noise like street traffic or noisy neighbors. If you’re in an open space, consider using noise-reducing techniques such as placing soft materials (e.g., blankets or pillows) to absorb sound. Additionally, try to schedule calls during times when there’s minimal noise, such as when family members or colleagues are not active.

5. Use Soundproofing Techniques

Soundproofing your workspace can significantly reduce background noise, especially if you’re regularly on calls. Some practical soundproofing measures include:

• Using heavy curtains or acoustic panels to absorb sound.
• Adding rugs or carpets to dampen sounds from footsteps or furniture movement.
• Sealing cracks or gaps around doors and windows to block external noise. Investing in soundproofing or acoustic treatments can make a huge difference in the clarity of your calls, especially in noisy environments.

6. Avoid Multi-Tasking or Moving Around

If you’re walking around, typing, or engaging in other activities during a call, the noise generated from these actions can interfere with the quality of your conversation. To prevent this, try to stay still and avoid multitasking while on a call. If you must type, consider using a quiet keyboard or moving away from the microphone to minimize noise interference.

7. Use a Noise-Blocking App

There are several apps available that can help block or filter out background noise. Applications like Krisp, RTX Voice, and Noise Blocker use advanced algorithms to remove background sounds in real-time during calls. These apps are particularly useful when you’re in a noisy environment, such as a coffee shop or public space, and can help ensure your voice is the focal point of the conversation.

8. Inform Call Participants About Your Environment

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, background noise is unavoidable. In such cases, it’s helpful to inform other participants at the beginning of the call about any potential disturbances. This will set expectations and allow everyone to be more patient if occasional noise interruptions occur. If you have control over the meeting platform, you can also ask others to mute themselves when they’re not speaking to further reduce unwanted sounds.

9. Use a Dedicated Conference Call Space

Creating a designated, quiet space for calls can make a world of difference. If possible, set up a space specifically for work calls that is free from distractions and noise sources. This space should be comfortable, have all the equipment you need, and be as isolated from household noise as possible.

Conclusion

Reducing background noise during calls is crucial for maintaining clear and effective communication. By using high-quality equipment, leveraging noise-canceling features in software, muting yourself when necessary, and ensuring you’re in a quiet environment, you can minimize disruptions and enhance the overall call experience. Whether you’re working from home or in a shared space, these strategies can help create a professional atmosphere and ensure that your calls are productive and free of distractions.