Physical noise: This kind of noise is external and outside the control of both the speaker and

the receiver. It affects the physical transmission of the message. Examples are noise
disturbances like loud music, the sound of traffic from a busy road, static coming from a
faulty loudspeaker system, or loud drilling from a nearby construction site.
Physiological noise: These are noises to communication due to physiological challenges on
the part of the speaker or the receiver. The speaker or receiver may be hearing-impaired, have
speech articulation problems, or suffer from short-term memory loss.
Psychological noise: Psychological noise results from preconceived notions we bring to
conversations, such as racial stereotypes, reputations, biases, and assumptions. For instance,
significant anger or sadness may cause someone to lose focus on the present moment.
Semantic Noise: Semantic noise refers to when a speaker and a listener have different
interpretations of the meanings of certain words. For example, the word "weed" can be
interpreted as an undesirable plant in a yard or as a euphemism for marijuana.

Physical noise: Physical noise is any external or environmental stimulus that distracts us
from receiving the intended message sent by a communicator. Examples of physical noise
include: others are talking in the background, background music, a startling noise and
acknowledging someone outside of the conversation.

Informal Communication: Informal communication occurs outside an organization's

established channels for conveying messages and transmitting information.
Formal
communication:
A type
of
verbal presentation or document intended
to share information and which conforms to established professional rules, standards
and processes and avoids using slang terminology.
Language Barriers: Language that describes what we would want to express and
communicate to others at times, serve as a barrier to them. In todays global scenario, the
greatest compliment we can pay to another person is by speaking and effectively
communicating to them in their local language. We need to understand that the native
language of employees can be different from anyone elses.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS: Importance of communication depends on the mental condition

of both the parties. A mentally disturb party can be a hindrance in communication. Following are the
psychological barriers in the way of communication

a) Premature Evaluation: Sometimes the receiver of information tries to dig out meaning
without much thinking at the time of receiving or even before receiving information,
which can be wrong. This type of evaluation is a hindrance in the exchange of
information and the enthusiasm of the sender gets dampened.
b) Poor Retention of Information: It means that with every transfer of information its
reality gets reduced. According to some researchers, in oral communication there is a loss
of 30 percent in every transfer of information. This happens due to carelessness of human
nature and limited memory.
c) Attitude and Opinion: Individuals attitude and opinions often act as a barrier to
communication. If information is in consonance with our opinion we tend to accept it
favorably otherwise we do not favorably react to that. If the new policy is in the
employees favor, they welcome it, otherwise they reject it. Similarly, different people
have different attitudes and opinions and as such their interpretations of the same thing
will be dissimilar.
d) Emotions: Some people are emotional by nature and loss their mental balance quickly
and easily. If a superior happens to get agitated quickly, his communication, howsoever,
argumentative, is likely to be rejected. Similarly, if the receiver of the message is
mentally upset or disturbed he will find unfavorable meaning to it. Thus, a person in
different emotional states is more likely to give different meanings to the same cues or
information.
e) Closed Mind: If the listener has closed mind, he will always evaluate the things from his
own point of view and will not be receptive to new ideas. Such a person is not open to
conviction and persuasion. Thus it is very difficult to communicate with him. Therefore,
it is rightly said that we see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear.
OTHER BARRIERS: Other barriers to communication are explained below:
a) Source: The source from where the message emanates is very important. People with
predetermined and preoccupied attitudes are prejudices towards some persons who they
wish to contact. It these (senders) are the sources of message, they may behave in a
hostile manner towards the other people (receiver). The receiver may read into the
message something more or something less, than what is apparent. Hence source of
communication is important in an organization to pass on essential and required
communication.
b) Cultural Barriers: Cultural differences often cause communication problems. The same
category of words, phrases, symbols, actions, colors mean different things to people of
different countries/cultural backgrounds. For example, in Western countries black color is
associated with death and mourning while in the Far East white is the color of mourning.
In United States people love to be called by their first name while in Britain people are
more formal and like to be addressed by their title or last name.
c) Distortion: If the messages are not received properly or they are not properly translated,
due to several distractions of the speakers, say his behavior, makes the receiver not to
receive the message fully, thus, cause barriers to communication.
Language is the most important tool of communication. Thus, for occupying a higher
position, there is need for effective communication. The communication can be effective only
after overcoming above barriers.
MEASURES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION
In view of the importance of business communication, it is essential to curb the barriers of
communication. Following are some of the important ways to remove these barriers:

1. Clarity of Ideas: The sender of the message should be clear in his mind about the
message that he wants to communicate. The purpose of the message and the sequence
of the ideas to be conveyed should be clear in his mind. As far as possible the
message should be brief and priority should be given to the language of the level of
the receiver. Instead of using technical words, attempt should be made to use
commonly understandable words and sentences.
2. Positive Attitude: There should be change in the attitude of superiors and
subordinates so that open communication is possible all the times. To achieve the
organizational objective, the superiors should from time to time inform the policies
and programs of the concern to the subordinates and should also remain in touch with
subordinates regarding their problems, suggestions and emotions.
3. Active Listening: Active or participative listening is as important as any other
element in the process of communication. It shows that communication is a joint
responsibility of both the sender and the receiver.
4. Consistency of Message: The information sent to the receiver should not be selfcontradictory. It should be in accordance with the objectives, policies, programs and
procedures of the enterprise. Whenever a new message is to be sent in the place of the
old one then changes should be described otherwise the message can be misleading.
5. Free Flow of Information: The system of communication should be so designed that
shorter lines of information flow are there. The information can be vertically and
horizontally flowed. To speed up communication proper delegation and
decentralization of authority should be encouraged.
6. Completeness of Message: The message should be complete in every respect. The
message should be sent in time; otherwise it would lose its significance. While
sending the message it should be checked that no important thing is left out, otherwise
the message can be misunderstood. Incomplete message delays work performance and
increases cost.
7. Environment of Mutual Confidence: Every individual working in the organization
performs communication. Therefore, it can be made more effective with the help of
mutual confidence with cooperation

(v) Technical Jargon:

Generally, it has been seen that the people working in an enterprise are connected with some
special technical group who have their separate technical language.
Their communication is not so simple as to be understood by everybody. Hence, technical
language can be a barrier in communication. This technical group includes industrial
engineers, production development manager, quality controller, etc.
Premature Judgement
Assuming that you already know what the speaker is going to say
Draw conclusions or judgements on incomplete evidences.

Premature Evaluation:
Sometimes the receiver of information tries to dig out meaning without much thinking at the
time of receiving or even before receiving information, which can be wrong. This type of
evaluation is a hindrance in the exchange of information and the enthusiasm of the sender
gets dampened.
(ii) Lack of Attention:
When the receiver is preoccupied with some important work he/she does not listen to the
message attentively. For example, an employee is talking to his boss when the latter is busy
in some important conversation. In such a situation the boss may not pay any attention to
what subordinate is saying. Thus, there arises psychological hurdle in the communication.
(iv) Distrust:
For successful communication the transmitter and the receiver must trust each other. If there
is a lack of trust between them, the receiver will always derive an opposite meaning from the
message. Because of this, communication will become meaningless.
(iii) Loss by Transmission and Poor Retention:
When a message is received by a person after it has passed through many people, generally it
loses some of its truth. This is called loss by transmission. This happens normally in case of
oral communication. Poor retention of information means that with every next transfer of
information the actual form or truth of the information changes.
According to one estimate, with each transfer of oral communication the loss of the
information amounts to nearly 30%. This happens because of the carelessness of people.
Therefore, lack of transmission of information in its true or exact form becomes a hindrance
in communication.
Psychological or Emotional Barriers
The importance of communication depends on the mental condition of both the parties. A
mentally disturbed party can be a hindrance in communication. Following are the emotional
barriers in the way of communication:
(1) Semantic Barriers
There is always a possibility of misunderstanding the feelings of the sender of the message or
getting a wrong meaning of it. The words, signs, and figures used in the communication are
explained by the receiver in the light of his experience which creates doubtful situations. This
happens because the information is not sent in simple language.