The use of free-hanging units provides flexibility and a multitude of acoustic solutions to problems related to acoustic design. Where free-hanging units are used to improve poor acoustics, individual units give the benefit of diffraction effects, with a larger area of the absorption being exposed to the sound field. Both effects can be used to increase sound absorbing properties.

In large, noisy environments such as open-plan areas, restaurants, shopping centres etc., free-hanging units can be installed close to working areas or other locations where acoustic treatment is needed in order to achieve suitable conditions for communication and concentration. Such areas might be reception and information counters or refreshment areas, in larger, noisy spaces.

In premises where, for various reasons, an overall ceiling cannot be used, e.g. where temperature is regulated via the soffit (concrete core activation) or where there are large areas of glass, absorbent islands offer one way of creating acceptable acoustic environments. The islands can be designed as baffles or horizontally suspended units.

Islands or rafts can also be used in environments where absorbing ceilings do not provide sufficient levels of absorption. By supplementing with suspended horizontal absorbers or baffles, the acoustic environment can be improved by reducing the sound level and a diminishing sound as distance increases.

In open-plan spaces, free-hanging units can be used as a complement to wall-to-wall acoustic ceilings. Installing free-hanging units above workplaces will, in addition to the effects listed above, reduce sound propagation across large distances and contribute to increased privacy between working groups

In cases where the free-hanging units are used as solitary islands above workplaces, the absorbers should be installed as close to the workplace as possible, thus shielding the diffuse background noise as much as possible. The free-hanging units should cover the working area, preferably with a slight overlap.

When using free-hanging units as a complement to wall-to-wall acoustic ceiling, it is often better to split the free-hanging units into smaller modules and distribute these over the total ceiling area than to use larger free-hanging units irregularly over the ceiling. Division into smaller rafts will enhance the diffraction effect and contribute to a diffuse sound field.

If a workplace is near reflecting walls, the recommendation is to use wall absorbers as a complement to the free-hanging units.

Free-hanging units increase the ability to localise sound sources in the vicinity of a workplace. This will increase the sensation of control and create a less stress-induced environment.