Noise Troubles in Remote Work: "Construction Noise" Ranks First. About 51% Feel Soundproofing is "Nice to Have"

Survey on Remote Work and Noise

While the absence of commuting is a major advantage of remote work, allowing people to work at their own pace, it also brings new noise-related concerns different from the office.

Sounds from outside, such as construction noise, or everyday sounds from neighboring rooms, children's voices, and family conversations can be bothersome at home.

So, how many people are actually troubled by noise while working remotely?

To find out, we conducted a survey on "Remote Work and Noise" in collaboration with Koshou Co., Ltd., targeting 100 men and women nationwide who had previously answered that they had experience with remote work.

*When quoting from this press release, please adhere to the following:

- State that the source is a "Survey by NEXER Group Inc. and Koshou Co., Ltd."

- Include a link to Koshou Co., Ltd. (https://bouon-kosho.co.jp/)

Survey Overview: "Remote Work and Noise Survey"

Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Survey Period: June 5, 2026 - June 12, 2026

Target Audience: Men and women nationwide who answered that they had experience with remote work in a preliminary survey.

Valid Responses: 100 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Have you ever been troubled by noise while working remotely?

Question 2: What kind of noise troubled you? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 3: Have you ever been concerned about the sounds around you during an online meeting while working remotely?

Question 4: In what situations did you feel concerned?

Question 5: Do you think soundproofing would be "nice to have" in your remote work environment?

Question 6: Please tell us the reason.

*Note: Due to rounding to the second decimal place, the total may not add up to 100%.

28.0% Responded They Have Been "Troubled by Noise" While Working Remotely

First, we asked if people had ever been troubled by noise while working remotely.

The results showed that 9.0% answered "often" and 19.0% answered "sometimes," totaling 28.0% who have experienced trouble with noise while working remotely. On the other hand, 23.0% answered "rarely" and 49.0% answered "never."

While not a majority, approximately 1 in 4 people have experienced noise issues, which is a significant percentage.

Home is originally a place for relaxation.

As it has become a workplace as well, some people may have started to notice sounds that they didn't pay attention to before.

"Construction Noise" Tops the List of Troublesome Sounds at 39.3%, Followed by "Neighboring Residents' Daily Life Sounds" at 32.1%

Next, we asked those who had experienced noise issues what kind of sounds troubled them.

The most common answer was "construction noise" at 39.3%.

This was followed by "neighboring residents' daily life sounds" at 32.1% and "children's voices" at 21.4%.

It was found that many people are bothered by "sounds coming from outside," such as construction noise and neighboring residents' daily life sounds.

Sounds that are difficult to control may be more likely to cause problems.

23.0% Have Been "Concerned About Sounds Around Them" During Online Meetings

Next, we asked if people had ever been "concerned about the sounds around them" during online meetings while working remotely.

The results showed that 8.0% answered "often" and 15.0% answered "sometimes," totaling 23.0% who have been concerned about sounds around them. On the other hand, 23.0% answered "rarely" and 54.0% answered "never."

We also asked those who had been concerned about sounds for specific examples of when they felt concerned. Here are some excerpts:

In what situations did you feel concerned?

- Since I have small children, they suddenly start crying. (20s, Female)

- When family members are present. (20s, Female)

- When my child is playing with toys and I worry that the sound might be picked up. (30s, Female)

- While in a meeting, my dog started barking in the living room, and even though I was in another room, I panicked, wondering if the other participants could hear it. (30s, Male)

- Construction noise was bothersome during a meeting. (30s, Female)

- Basically, I'm embarrassed if noise comes from my side. (30s, Male)

Many of the situations cited were related to daily life and work overlapping in the same space, such as children crying, pets barking, and the presence of family members.

Phrases like "panicked, wondering if the other person could hear it" and "embarrassed if noise comes out" suggest that noise not only affects concentration but also leads to psychological pressure. In the formal setting of a meeting, people seem to become more sensitive to sounds that they might not normally notice.

51.0% Responded That Soundproofing Would Be "Nice to Have" in Their Remote Work Environment

Finally, we asked if people thought soundproofing would be "nice to have" in their remote work environment.

The results showed that 16.0% answered "strongly agree" and 35.0% answered "somewhat agree," totaling 51.0% who desire a soundproof environment. On the other hand, 22.0% answered "somewhat disagree" and 27.0% answered "strongly disagree."

This means that over half of the respondents are seeking "quiet" in their workspace.

We also asked those who felt soundproofing would be nice to have for their reasons, and here are some excerpts:

Please tell us the reason.

- I think I could concentrate better. (20s, Female)

- I believe I can concentrate more on my work. (20s, Male)

- I think I can work without worrying about noise. (30s, Male)

- If the outside noise gets loud, I might not be able to concentrate. (30s, Female)

- If there were simple things like soundproofing panels, remote work would be more convenient. (30s, Female)

- It would eliminate unnecessary stress. (40s, Female)

The most prominent reason cited was, as expected, the desire to "concentrate."

The quality of work may be deeply connected to the quietness of the environment.

As indicated by the response "It would eliminate unnecessary stress," a quiet environment not only enhances concentration but also contributes to mental well-being.

Conclusion

In this survey, 28.0% of respondents reported experiencing trouble with noise while working remotely.

The top causes of noise were construction and neighboring residents' daily life sounds, indicating that external noises are a significant concern.

Furthermore, 23.0% of respondents reported being concerned about sounds around them during online meetings, and 51.0% expressed that soundproofing would be "nice to have" in their remote work environment.

As homes increasingly serve as workplaces, creating an environment where one can quietly concentrate is becoming a crucial factor for a better work experience. For those troubled by bothersome noises, perhaps it's time to consider soundproofing measures for your home.

<For Use in Articles, etc.>

- Please state that the source is a "Survey by NEXER Group Inc. and Koshou Co., Ltd."

- Include a link to Koshou Co., Ltd. (https://bouon-kosho.co.jp/)

【About Koshou Co., Ltd.】

President: Naoki Miyagawa

Location: 770-5 Yodabashi, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 417-0002

TEL: 0545-32-1121

【About NEXER Group Inc.】

Headquarters: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013

President: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

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