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Noise. It’s something we’ve all come to accept living in the Philippines. The tricycles honking, the kids playing outside, the neighbor’s karaoke sessions – it’s all part of the soundtrack of everyday life. But when I started working from home and doing more online meetings, I quickly realized how much these everyday noises were getting in the way of my work.
But did you know that noise also affects your physical and mental states? According to the USA National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ambient noise increases general stress and aggravates stress-related conditions like coronary disease, hypertension, and migraines.
After a few more interrupted meetings, I decided I needed to find a solution. I didn’t want to go back to an office, but I also didn’t want to keep battling all the background noise. That’s when I began looking into WFH noise cancelling options available in the Philippines.
From noise-cancelling headphones to acoustic foam panels, I discovered a range of tools that could help create a quieter workspace. If you’re also struggling with the same issues, I’ve gathered the best WFH noise-cancelling options you can try.
These solutions can help turn your noisy home environment into a more peaceful, productive space, so you can finally focus on the task at hand without worrying about the sounds outside your door.
Table of Contents
5 Work from Home Noise Cancelling Options
1. Noise Cancelling Headsets
Choosing the right noise-cancelling headset for work-from-home use is essential, especially if you’re dealing with distractions like noisy family members or street sounds. I remember when I first started working from home, the background noise made it difficult to join meetings without interruptions.
When I decided to try a noise-cancelling headset, I quickly realized how much of a difference it could make. The key is to look for headsets with active noise cancellation (ANC), which can cancel out background noises like barking dogs or honking cars.
The two other important considerations are comfort level and sound quality. Comfort might seem like an afterthought, but if you’re wearing the headset for long periods, it can become uncomfortable fast. As for sound quality, it’s crucial to ensure that what you hear is clear and free from distortion, especially when you’re in long meetings or calls. Poor sound quality can make it hard to concentrate or follow important discussions, so it’s worth investing in a headset that delivers crisp, clear audio.
Advantages:
- Effective
- Plug and play – No complicated software necessary
Disadvantages:
- Need to invest money
- Wear and tear
As a long-time Logitech user, I can definitely tell you that it’s hard to go wrong with this brand. So, I tried one of their noise-cancelling headsets, the H340 Wired Headset, which seems to be one of the most popular.
Like most of their products, this headset is easy to use. You just plug it into your USB port, and it’s already ready for your work session. It’s also light and comfortable, making it great for jobs where you’re on calls all day (shout out to aspiring virtual assistants and BPO agents reading this). The microphone is adjustable, so you can set it in a position that’s comfortable for you.
As a bonus, it’s also no problem to shift into entertainment mode with this headset. I found that whether I’m gaming or watching videos, the sound quality is impressive for all kinds of activities.
2. Noise Cancelling Mics & Adapters
Sometimes the noise cancelling headsets available in the Philippines just don’t match your requirements. You might not like their look, how they sound, or how they feel when you wear them.
So, you go back to your favorite pair of earphones or headphones. Sometimes you get complaints about the noise in your online meetings, but noise cancelling headsets just don’t work for you.
But did you know there’s another alternative that you can try that doesn’t involve you ditching your favorite earphones or headphones? You can use either noise cancelling mics or noise cancelling adapters.
How Do Noise Cancelling Mics & Adapters Work? The newer noise cancelling mics and adapters work by using a combination of active and adaptive noise cancellation. Essentially, they filter out unwanted background noise through software built right into the device.
This technology doesn’t necessarily block out the noise for you personally, but it makes sure your voice comes through loud and clear to the person on the other end of the call. So even if there’s a lot of noise around you, they’ll only hear you!
Advantages:
- No need to change out of your favourite headset
Disadvantages:
- Need to invest money
- Wear and tear
- Might not be compatible with all devices
There are plenty of options but I found most of them to be quite expensive except for the ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Mic Adapter.
My friend’s wife has been using this for years with her existing headset. She just plugs in her normal headset into the ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Mic Adapter. I’m told, she uses it for important meetings such as client calls and job interviews.
Please note that not all headsets are compatible with this device. So, it’s best to check with the store first if you plan on buying this one.
Price: It’s available from Lazada for P1,595.
3. Noise Cancelling Apps
If you’re looking for a quick fix without spending a single peso, try downloading an app for your laptop, desktop, or mobile device. It’s super easy to do and takes just a few minutes. You don’t need to be a sound expert or worry about complicated settings. Many of these apps are free to download and safe to use, so you can start clearing up the noise in your video calls right away!
How Do Noise Cancelling Apps Work? These apps filter out sounds that aren’t part of the typical human voice range. They focus on isolating just the voice and getting rid of everything else – like street noise, the hum of electronics, or even echoes in the background.
For typical work from home noise reduction requirements, I’ve found that real-time noise-canceling software is really all you need. It makes a huge difference in making sure both you and your clients can hear each other clearly during online meetings.
But note that there are still some limitations to noise cancelling apps. It will still not be able to remove all noise from the background, and in some cases, taking out the noise can affect the quality of your audio call or recording.
Despite these setbacks, software-based noise reduction is a quick, easy, and free option that’s at least worth a try.
Advantages:
- Free for Most Use Cases
- Quick to set up
- Risk-free
- They can work with your existing devices
Disadvantages:
- Premium Plans: Recurring monthly costs can get expensive in the long-run
- Limitations to software-based noise cancellation means it cannot fully replace the need for high-quality audio or better recording equipment.
a) Recommended: Krisp - For Video Calls and Conferences (Windows & MacOS)
I personally use Krisp when I forget my headset. It has been incredibly helpful in reducing background noise during calls and recordings. What’s great about Krisp is that it uses AI to separate the noise from the human voice, making your voice much clearer. It’s not just about blocking the noise around you either – it can also cancel out background noise from the other person on the call.
Krisp offers several pricing options. I’m on their “free forever” plan, which lets you use the app for up to 240 minutes (4 hours) of noise cancellation each week. It’s enough for emergencies.
But if you find Krisp works well for you but need more than the free plan offers, the Personal Pro package starts from $6 per month.
The Personal Pro package gives you unlimited noise cancellation for your calls, which is ideal for work-from-home call center employees, virtual assistants, and anyone who does a lot of voice calls and online meetings.
If you have an Nvidia RTX-based GPU on your laptop or desktop, then Nvidia RTX Voice may be the option for you. This software uses AI and the RTX cores on your GPU to remove background noise from streams and calls.
It’s capable of greatly reducing common annoying sounds like keyboard typing, the noise made by screaming kids, vacuum cleaners, and more. Its capabilities are greatly showcased in a video posted by ShortCircuit back in 2020. They tested the limits of the AI by simulating both realistic and unrealistic background noises that you could possibly hear during a video call.
It’s an impressive plugin, with its only downside being that you have to own an RTX-based GPU and that it reportedly uses a good amount of computer resources while it’s being used.
c) Mobile Pick: Neutralizer - For Calls and a Better Listening Experience (Android)
I’ve been using Neutralizer on my Android phone, and it really helps improve my overall listening experience. What’s great about this app is that it lets you customize the sound based on your hearing preferences. If there are specific sounds that you find annoying or distracting, the app can block those out, leaving you with a much clearer and more focused sound.
When I use it for calls, it’s like a breath of fresh air.
I can hear the other person much better without the usual background noise getting in the way. The free version offers one audio preset, which I’ve found to be enough for the usual video call use cases.
For the best experience, I recommend using it with earphones or headphones. It works okay with the built-in phone speakers, but the real magic happens when you use it with a good pair of headphones.
4. WFH Room Noise Cancelling Techniques
One of the simplest yet often overlooked ways to tackle noise issues is by removing the source of the noise itself. You might not realize it, but making a few adjustments to your room can significantly improve the acoustics and greatly reduce unwanted sounds. Even small changes can make a noticeable difference in how much noise you’re dealing with during your work-from-home calls.
Advantages:
- Can improve your overall quality of life and living conditions
Disadvantages
- Can be impractical or impossible to execute effectively
- Laborious in some cases
- Need to have an idea of acoustics to make it work effectively
Here are a few tips you can do to help reduce background noise in rooms:
a) Add More Furniture to Reduce Noise Inside Your Rooms
Sound likes to bounce off surfaces. In an empty room, the sound will most likely echo and create a lot of noise because there isn’t anything to stop the sound waves from reflecting off the hard surfaces of your room.
By adding furniture in your room with varying shapes and surfaces, you create more ways of dampening and absorbing those sound waves, reducing the echo effect.
A few effective ways of doing this are adding carpets, upholstered furniture, and installing things on your wall. If you want to take it to the next level, you can install acoustic foam and panels in your room.
Pat Flynn demonstrates the effectiveness of installing cheap acoustic foam compared to a professional sound panel. It’s a great video to see for yourself how much noise is reduced depending on the kind of acoustic panel that you use.
b) Soundproof Your Windows & Doors
If the noise that you’re concerned with is coming from outside your home, you may want to consider soundproofing your windows and doors.
A relatively more inexpensive choice would be to create as good a seal as possible around your windows and doors using caulking or a self-adhesive weather strip. I bought mine (like the sealing strip pictured below) for a cheap price on online marketplaces like Lazada.
And here’s a video from Soundproof Guide that I followed to install those window sealing strips properly.
If you want to take it even further, you can install a window panel which you can make yourself. It’s made similar to an acoustic panel but made to the size and shape of your window to block off as much outside noise as possible.
When Is WFH Noise Cancelling a Requirement?
1) You Need to Make a Good Impression During Interviews & Meetings
During job interviews or important meetings, a noisy background can really make a bad impression. I’ve been there – no matter how clear your voice is, the sound of barking dogs, loud neighbors, or even distant conversations can be distracting. Even if the person you’re talking to can still understand you, those little interruptions can make you seem unprofessional or unprepared. It’s a small thing, but it can make all the difference in how you’re perceived and whether you land the job or not.
2) To Improve Communication Between Peers
As a remote worker, meetings are one of the few chances you get to connect with your peers and bosses. Those moments to speak up are important, and you need to ensure your message is clear.
When background noise interferes, it can be difficult to focus and understand what others are saying. I’ve learned that using noise-cancelling solutions can make a big difference – for both you and the people you’re talking to. These tools help make your calls more effective and less stressful.
3) You Need to Work Outside of Your Home
We’re not all lucky to live in a location where the internet is reliable and fast. Sometimes, we get the occasional service disruption, forcing us to go to our nearest coffee shop to work on crucial tasks.
Sometimes, we also have to take our work with us especially if we have to conduct other business in a different physical location. Sometimes, those places will have unavoidable noises that we just have to work around.
In these situations, noise cancelation and isolation apps and headphones can go a long way in making your outdoor calls and work smoother.
Conclusion: Use the Noise Cancelling Methods Together
In my experience, no single noise-cancelling solution will fix everything, but using a combination of methods can make a world of difference. What works best really depends on your needs, budget, and how much effort you’re willing to put into improving your work-from-home setup.
Sometimes, downloading a noise-cancelling app is enough to get you through a day of meetings, especially if you’re short on time or money. Other times, it becomes clear that you need better equipment like noise-cancelling mics or headsets to keep your calls professional. I’ve also learned that small changes to my room – like rearranging furniture or adding curtains – can reduce the sound that leaks into my meetings.
And it’s not just at home. If you take your laptop to a coffee shop for a change of scenery, your trusty earphones and mic might not cut it. But installing a noise-cancelling app can save you from background chatter without having to spend extra on high-end hardware. By combining these solutions, I’ve managed to stay clear and professional no matter where I work.
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