Zoom calls have become a fundamental part of our daily communication, be it for work, education, or personal matters. However, one common challenge that many users face is background noise. It can be anything from the hum of an air conditioner to the chatter from another room, and it can be quite distracting for both the speaker and the listeners. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to minimize or eliminate background noise during your Zoom calls.
1. Use Zoom’s Built-In Noise Suppression
Zoom offers a built-in noise suppression feature that can be incredibly effective. You can access this feature by:
- Opening Zoom and clicking on the Settings icon.
- Navigating to the Audio section.
- Under the Microphone section, you’ll find the option to Suppress background noise.
- You can choose the level of noise suppression from Auto, Low, Medium, or High, depending on your environment and needs.
2. Opt for a Quiet Environment
Selecting a quiet space for your Zoom calls can significantly reduce background noise. If possible, choose a room that is away from high traffic areas and close the door to keep out external sounds.
3. Improve Your Microphone Setup
Using a good quality external microphone instead of your device’s built-in mic can greatly enhance your audio input. Position the microphone close to your mouth but slightly off to the side to avoid plosives (hard ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds).
4. Consider Using a Noise-Cancellation App
There are third-party apps available, such as Krisp, which use artificial intelligence to cancel out background noise from both ends of the call. These apps can be especially useful if you’re unable to control the noise in your environment.
5. Educate Other Participants
If you’re hosting the meeting, remind participants to mute their microphones when they’re not speaking. This simple step can prevent a lot of extraneous noise from entering the call.
6. Use Headphones
Wearing headphones can prevent your microphone from picking up the audio coming from your own speakers, which can cause echoes and feedback.
7. Manage Your Device’s Audio Settings
Make sure your computer’s audio settings are optimized for Zoom. This includes selecting the correct microphone and speakers and ensuring that the volume levels are set appropriately.
8. Soundproof Your Space
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, consider soundproofing your room. This can involve adding rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to absorb sound and reduce echo.
9. Regular Updates
Keep your Zoom application updated to the latest version. Developers are continually improving the platform, and updates often include enhancements to audio quality.