A Simple Guide to Healthcare Music Systems

Clinics and medical offices need great background music to welcome patients and drown out exam room noise. But playing it from room to room? That can be easier said than done.

For small practices especially, figuring out the right setup can feel confusing. Do you need special speakers? Can you use your phone or a tablet, and do you need a different one for every space?

We can help.

Learn exactly what you need to get started, from choosing a music provider to picking the right equipment. Whether you’re setting up a single waiting room or managing sound across multiple treatment rooms, we’ll show you how to choose the right sound system for your space.

Getting Started: Equipment Needed to Play Music in a Healthcare Setting

Setting up music in your office doesn’t have to be complicated. 

You only need a few things to get started:

• An internet connection: Wi-Fi or wired, either works. Your music streams over the internet, so a stable connection helps avoid skips or silence.
• A device to run the music: You can use a desktop computer, tablet, mobile app, or a dedicated music player like the CloudBox — our plug-and-play device just for businesses.
• Speakers: Any setup works — Bluetooth speakers, Sonos, or wired ceiling systems. Pandora CloudCover is flexible enough to fit what you already have.
• A licensed music provider: Choose a service built for business use like Pandora CloudCover. It gives you legal access to music you can play in public areas like waiting rooms and exam rooms.

A quick heads-up: Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube aren’t licensed for commercial use. Even if you’re using your personal account, it’s not legal to stream them in a business setting. That’s why choosing a licensed provider matters.

Now that you know what you need, let’s look at how to make it all work room by room.

About the CloudBox: A Plug-and-Play Music System

The CloudBox is a small, pre-set device that connects to your sound system and streams music over the internet.

Here’s how it helps:

• Works with your existing sound system: Just plug it in and connect to Wi-Fi or ethernet.
• No logins or apps required: It plays music automatically, without staff needing to interact with it.
• Can be managed remotely: You can set schedules, update stations, and control volume from your desktop dashboard.
• Updates on its own: New playlists and messages are delivered automatically.
• Ensures uptime: The CloudBox includes auto-restart if a power outage occurs. 
• Stores music locally: Music automatically plays if the network connection is interrupted.

Who Chooses the CloudBox?

• Offices with multiple rooms that want consistent or zoned music
• Practices that prefer not to use staff phones or shared devices to control music 

If you don’t want staff managing music from their phones or logging into apps throughout the day, a dedicated music device can make things easier.

The CloudBox is one of the easiest ways to keep music playing in a professional setting, especially when you need something reliable and hands-off.

Choosing Speakers for Your Clinic or Office

Choosing the right speaker system depends on your space, budget, and how you want to manage your music.

Many offices use smart speaker setups like Sonos, which offer wireless streaming and multi-room control. Some licensed music providers — including Pandora CloudCover — offer native integration with Sonos. So you can stream music directly through these systems without extra equipment or connections.

Other common options include:

• Bluetooth speakers: Simple and portable, good for smaller rooms or flexible setups.
• Wired ceiling or wall-mounted speakers: Provide consistent sound coverage with a clean, professional look, ideal for exam rooms or waiting areas.
• Whole-office audio systems: Larger integrated systems that can play different music in separate zones, often managed centrally.

‍Large project? Need extra help? Pandora CloudCover partners with Crutchfield, Best Buy, Geek Squad, and more to offer design, planning, and installation for projects spanning hundreds or thousands of locations. Contact us for details.‍

Compare Business Music Players

Pandora CloudCover isn’t the only business music streaming service with a dedicated music player. But not all players are created equal. 

Here’s how top business music players compare:

Best Sound System Setup by Office Size

Choosing the right sound system also depends on your office size and layout. 

Here are some common setups based on practice type:

Solo Practice

For small, single-room offices, a simple setup works best. Standalone wireless speakers or compact soundbars can provide quality sound with minimal installation.

A CloudBox or a desktop app paired with these speakers can help clinics stream music without complicated installation.

Multi-Room Clinic

Traditional wired sound systems with zone controls are a solid option, letting you create music zones with different playlists in each (like the waiting area versus exam rooms).

Clinics with multiple treatment rooms usually benefit from more integrated systems. A CloudBox paired with existing wired ceiling speakers or smart speakers like Sonos offers flexible control and good sound coverage. 

Multi-Location Group Practice

Large group practices may use whole-building audio systems with dedicated controllers and commercial-grade speakers for scalable, high-quality sound.

For practices with multiple locations, a device like the CloudBox at each site can simplify music management. These devices can be controlled remotely from a central dashboard, ensuring consistent sound and messaging across offices.

Pandora CloudCover and CloudBox Make It Easy

Pandora CloudCover takes the hassle out of setting up and managing background music in healthcare clinics through:

• Simple setup: Get started quickly with no-to-minimal training or IT help needed
• Flexible options: Solutions that fit any office size and tech comfort level
• Dedicated hardware: Devices like the CloudBox are available if you need them
• Fully licensed and compliant: Play music legally and confidently in your practice

Try Pandora CloudCover in your clinic today, free for 14 days. Terms and conditions apply.