Sources of Environmental Noise:Perceptions by NICU Staffs

Horgan, Michael J.; Easton, Christina

doi:10.1203/00006450-199904020-01198

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Although staff members might be aware of the sources of noise, they may not be aware of when to control the noise. 18,27 This indicates the importance of an immediate alarm for noise reduction. A similar recommendation of a sounddetection device that sends a signal to a vision alarm when the sound level is considered too high has been addressed for the purpose of infants' developmental supportive care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies indicated that sound levels in the NICU ranged from 45 to 135 dB and the mean sound level varied considerably from 54 to 80 dBA. 11,13,[18][19][20][21] Long et al 14 found that incubators could partially block noise and preserve a quieter internal space than the external environment by 5 to 18 dB. Other studies reported that sound levels inside incubators could reach as high as 70 to 80 dB when a ventilator or other oxygen supply devices were incorporated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Noise-Sensor Light Alarm Reduces Noise in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit

et al. 2006

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This one-group pre-post test design was to evaluate sound distribution and sudden peak noise frequencies (SPNs) and the associated events after using a noise-sensor light alarm in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The alarm is activated as the sound level reaches>or=65 A-weighted decibel (dBA). The environmental sound level was monitored continuously for a period of 1 week before and 1 month after using the alarm. The mean sound level in the incubator of patients receiving ventilator support before and after using the device were 58.0+/-0.6 and 56.4+/-0.7 dBA (t=8.619; p<0.001), whereas those at the radiant heated bed were 58.0+/-2.4 and 58.1+/-2.0 dBA (t=0.715; p=0.476). The percentage of observation time of sound levels<58 dBA increased by 28% in the incubator and 4% at the radiant heated bed (p<0.001). Episodes of SPN decreased from 630 to 185 times/d in the incubator and from 2069 to 748 times/d at the radiant heated bed after using the device. The noise-sensor light alarm effectively reduces sound level and episodes of SPN in the NICU. This may alleviate stress of noise for newborns with critical illness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%