Background Noise in Microsoft Teams: A Game-Changer for Online Meetings

When it comes to online meetings, one of the biggest challenges is often background noise. It can be frustrating for remote attendees when they're unable to interrupt others due to echo or reverberation issues. In this article, we'll explore how Microsoft Teams has tackled this problem with its innovative machine learning (ML) and AI-based features.

Background noise in online meetings can be a significant issue, particularly when only one person can talk at a time. Echo signals can overpower the end user's voice, making it difficult to remove the echo without also suppressing the speech signal. This is especially challenging when both parties try to speak simultaneously. To make matters worse, some device setups have the speaker closer to the microphone than the end user.

Microsoft Teams has addressed this issue by optimizing audio for echo, interruptability, and reverberation to improve the call experience. The platform uses AI to recognize when the sound from the loudspeaker gets into the microphone and then removes it from the outbound audio. This results in a more natural-sounding conversation, with less echo and interruption.

One of the key features that has improved the Teams meeting experience is its ability to reduce reverberation. This is particularly useful for users who participate in meetings from rooms with poor acoustics. By using AI to reduce reverberation, Microsoft Teams ensures that audio quality is maintained even in challenging environments.

But that's not all. The platform also enables 'full duplex' sound, which allows users to speak and listen at the same time without interruptions. This feature has been a game-changer for remote workers who often have limited control over their environment. With full duplex sound, conversations can flow more naturally, making remote meetings feel more like in-person discussions.

In addition to these features, Microsoft Teams has also extended its machine learning model to prevent unwanted echo. This means that users no longer have to worry about the sound of their own voice coming back at them, derailing their train of thought. Instead, they can focus on the conversation at hand without interruptions or distractions.

The impact of these features is significant. In a previous blog post, we shared how Microsoft Teams uses AI to remove distracting background noise from meetings and calls. With its new ML model, the platform has taken it to the next level by improving dialogue over Teams and enabling full duplex sound. This means that users can now participate in online meetings without worrying about echo or interruptions, making remote work a more seamless and enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, Microsoft Teams has made significant strides in addressing background noise in online meetings. With its innovative ML and AI-based features, the platform has improved audio quality, reduced reverberation, and enabled full duplex sound. Whether you're participating in a meeting from home or on-the-go, Microsoft Teams has got you covered.

Background noise in microsoft teams