Choosing the right alert tone means that staff can hear calls and respond appropriately. But a wrongly chosen tone can lead to it being ignored or even confused with something else.
Match Volume to the Room
A sound that is adequate for a quiet corridor will not be heard above the din of a busy kitchen or workshop. Test the space and ensure the call bell receiver volume can be adjusted to a high enough level to cut through. But not so high that it is disturbing to people nearby.
Assign Different Tones to Different Zones
Each location with a Call Button should have a distinct tone so staff know where the call has come from without having to check a screen.
Avoid Tones That Blend In
Be careful when selecting a tone as there are many sounds which will be masked by other noises such as card machines, coffee grinders and background music. Choose a tone which is of a different rhythm or pitch to existing sounds in the environment and test in the area before purchasing.
Check Available Tones Before You Buy
Most handheld wireless call buttons come with different tones.
A useful reference for Call Buttons is https://www.dinggly.com/products/wireless-call-buttons.
Choose a Pitch That Carries Without Jarring
While a high frequency can easily be heard over loud background noise, very high pitched tones can also be very unsettling to customers. Mid-to-high pitched tones in the 2,000 to 4,000 Hz range are typical for work places as they are audible to staff but not obtrusive to others. A carefully chosen tone is also used in patient call systems in hospitals as opposed to a generic alarm.
Testing a tone in a real environment will confirm whether it is doing the job or not.
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