What works you up in the office?

If you think the most stressful things about working in an office are having to plough through thousands of emails and finding the photocopier jammed with Post-it notes for the fifth time in one day, think again.

According to new research loud colleagues and noisy equipment are the greatest irritations likely to tip Britainís office workers over the edge with humming computers and the whistling of air conditioning units among the most irritating background office noises.

Conducted by hearing system specialist, Phonak UK, the survey of office workers nationwide found that office noise goes beyond just being irritating and has the greatest impact on our capacity to do a good job ñ with the affects being most acute in open plan offices.

One in three employees in open plan offices claim the clatter of computer keyboards and loud telephone conversations have a greater effect on their performance and stress levels than workload, playing havoc with their concentration and ability to do simple tasks.

ìOpen plan offices are supposed to offer more benefits including increased communication, but there are obvious draw backs ñ sound canít be shut out,î comments Paul Checkley, head of audiology at Phonak UK. ìIt may not seem serious but workplace noise is a common cause of hearing impairment.

ìFactory workers and those in heavy industry are well protected by noise level regulations, but office workers have largely been ignored,î he added. ìLoud background office noise isnít just distracting it can be damaging.î

It is estimated that six and a half percent of the working population is hard of hearing* ñ a figure that is on the increase with changes in environmental, technological and entertainment trends meaning we are all exposed to increased noise levels that are largely out of our control.

Phonak UK has the following tips to help office workers block-out those stressful, noisy irritations:

- Take regular breaks away from noise if possible to help refocus your mind

- Use headphones or ear protection when possible

- Hold meetings away from your desk and encourage loud colleagues to do the same

- Introduce music or ambient sounds like water or the sea to help stress levels and drown out irritating office sounds

- If there are any doors try to keep them closed

- Noise barriers between desks will help to reduce noise levels

- Raise the noise issue with your employer to see if it can be rectified

- If you are exposed to loud noise have your hearing tested regularly to ensure no lasting damage. For more information contact your local hearing care professional.