Think about a stressful workday, when you need to submit a vital sales report and tally important survey data. You might come in to work a few hours early, in order to put in more time on these tasks. Now, picture yourself trying to compile that data next to a coworker, who can't stop talking about a strange blind date that she just had. It's difficult for you to concentrate in an environment like that, right?

No matter where it originates, office noise is detrimental. For one thing, it interferes with employee productivity. In addition, office noise may trigger stress in employees, possibly even snowballing into more debilitating illnesses, including depression.

That said, most working people face some form of office noise at some point in our careers. It is therefore important to be prepared so that we can better deal with such situations. Let's face it, if you have colleagues who idle their time away discussing everything under the sun, you'd better draw the line in your interactions with them. Be forthright yet polite in telling them that you get disturbed by their chatter. Chances are they'll apologize and limit their conversations in order to avoid getting on your nerves.

If you are experiencing disruptive noise due to a printer or facsimile machine located near your desk, you might politely request that your information technology colleagues look into the origin of the sound. It is probably the result of a malfunction, since the majority of office equipment firms manufacture noise-free machines at great expense to themselves. If the offending devices are properly and regularly serviced, that will usually eliminate the sound entirely or at very least lower the noise level.

In some offices, the office noise can be attributed to the coffeemaker. Yes, the machine is installed to provide convenience to workers. That said, if the noise it makes hinders you from concentrating on your work, its time to raise the issue with the administrative staff.

A noisy office does no good, regardless of the source of the noise. As such, there are many low-cost noise control methods for most offices. Sound absorbent panels and higher cubicle walls can help cut down on how far office noise - whether from human or mechanical sources - spreads. The huddle rooms and cafeteria are located at corners, away from the place where workers sit. And one of the most effective solutions is to cover the noise with comfortable, low-level noise, often referred to as "white noise" or "sound masking." This is best done in the initial design phase, but newer systems are easily able to be retrofitted into most office spaces. The key, of course, is to do something to control the noise in your workspace.