Five Stars for Starbucks! Store Redesigns to Promote Better Hearing

In a world where restaurants may be rated more appealing when ambient noise levels are loud (Tarlao et al, 2021), Starbucks is bucking that trend to reduce noise in many of their stores nationwide.

A company representative states that the reason for this move is to be more inclusive to guests who have difficulty hearing and communicating in addition to helping the baristas hear better, though they may still spell your name incorrectly on your cup. Acoustic modifications designed to reduce reverberation and absorb sound are currently underway. In addition, visual status boards, larger wheelchair accessible handoff areas, and improved lighting are all being upgraded to ensure that everyone can enjoy their tasty beverages. Cheers!

References

Tarlao C, Fernandez P, Frissen I, Guastavino C. (2021) Influence of sound levels on diner’s perception and behavior in a Montreal restaurant. Applied Acoustics 174.

Bartiromo M. (2024) Your Favorite Starbucks Might Sound Different Next Year: Here’s What that Means. KTLA5. (accessed May 1, 2024).