Noise suppression is audio processing that removes non-voice sounds, such as typing, HVAC hum, paper rustling, chairs and hallway chatter, from a room's microphones before the audio is sent to the call. Remote participants hear the people talking, not the room. Modern meeting devices use AI models trained to tell speech from noise, and many also use "audio fences" to ignore voices outside a set zone.
How it works
| Method | What it does | Good at | Weak at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (stationary) noise reduction | Learns a steady background sound and subtracts it | HVAC, projector fans, hum | Sudden sounds like typing or a dropped pen |
| AI / machine-learning suppression | A trained model separates voice from everything else, frame by frame | Typing, clicks, dogs, sirens, crinkling | Can thin out voices if set too aggressive |
| Voice activity detection (VAD) | Detects when someone is actually speaking | Keeping mics quiet between talkers | Doesn't remove noise during speech |
| Audio fence / voice fence | Uses beamforming to reject sound from outside a defined area | Open offices, glass rooms, neighbors' calls | Needs correct device placement |
Noise suppression is one block in a chain that also includes acoustic echo cancellation and automatic gain control. Echo cancellation removes the far end's voice coming back through your speakers; noise suppression removes the room's own noise. You need both.
Why it matters in meeting rooms
- Room mics pick up far more than a headset does, so every keyboard and air vent goes to the call.
- Remote participants tire quickly listening to noisy audio, and they stop speaking up.
- Open-plan offices, huddle rooms next to busy areas and glass-walled rooms let in voices from outside.
- Transcription and captions get more accurate when noise is removed.
Device-level vs app-level suppression
Teams, Zoom and Google Meet each have their own noise suppression settings. Meeting room devices also have their own, running on the device's DSP.
- If the device has good AI suppression, set the app to its default or "auto" level so the two don't stack and make voices sound processed.
- On Teams Rooms, Microsoft lists AI noise suppression among the features that come with a Teams Rooms Pro license.
- For USB devices on a laptop, test with the app set to "auto" first, then "high" only if noise is still getting through.
What to look for when buying
- AI noise suppression, not just "noise reduction". Spec sheets usually name it.
- An adjustable audio fence for open or glass rooms.
- Correct pickup range for the room. A bar that hears 30 ft in a 12 ft room also hears the hallway. See mic pickup range.
- Management controls to turn features on or off per room.
- Room treatment. No processing fixes a very reverberant room. See acoustic panels.
Catalog devices with noise suppression listed in their specs
| Device | Listed audio processing |
|---|---|
| AVer VB350 | Echo cancellation, AI noise suppression, adjustable audio fence |
| AVer FONE700 | AEC, noise reduction, AGC, de-reverberation, AI noise suppression, voice fencing |
| Logitech Rally Mic Pod | AEC, VAD, AI noise filter |
| Logitech Sight | AEC, ML-based VAD and noise suppression |
| Poly Studio V12 | NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence |
| Yealink CP965 | Noise Proof Technology, with a dedicated noise-cancellation mic |
| Yealink VCM36-W | Echo canceling, Noise Proof Technology |
| AVer FONE540 | Echo cancellation, noise suppression, wideband |
Most current video bars from all major brands include some form of noise suppression. Compare devices in best speakerphones and best video bars.
Still hearing noise on calls? Check how to fix echo on a conference call or ask us to review your room.
Related guides
Outfitting several rooms, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
