World Hearing Day – the 3rd of March 2021! The WHO points attention to this day by communicating that: The number of people living with unaddressed hearing loss and ear diseases is unacceptable. Timely action is needed to prevent and address hearing loss across the life course. Investing in cost-effective interventions will benefit people with […]
Healthcare
Noise in the ICU
Noise pollution In recent years, several acoustic studies have noted that the sound environment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is noisy and demanding. The noises are unpredictable and unexpected as they have numerous sources. The extent of the problem is not yet fully understood, but the impact of noise pollution in patient rooms in […]
Searching for the best acoustic standard for healthcare
When we are sick just opening the door to a hospital takes us out of our comfort zone. Our system is already stressed and our senses are therefore alert. We are more sensitive to sound and noise than normal – and in healthcare sound environments, this can be a challenge. Sleep is essential Patients are […]
Podcast episode: Healthcare noise
Soundproofist Soundproofist is a great blog and podcast universe about noise and acoustics issues driven by Cary Norsworthy and on the website, she states that ”Noise is a power struggle. Noise creates conflict. Conversely, acoustics is an art. And learning what makes acoustics sound great is a skill that each of us can learn.” – […]
Covid-19 facilities and acoustics
Test Centers in Denmark White tents show up around Denmark – and have been since March 2020. Covid-19 test centers and treatment facilities around the world have been part of our lives in the last months and almost everywhere temporary healthcare facilities are needed. In some countries, Covid-patients have to get treatment in alternative hospital […]
Hospital corridors – how do they sound?
Standards in Europe Standards and guidelines for room acoustics in healthcare are lacking in general and very few countries have mandatory regulations in this field. And even in countries with guidelines for other public buildings (e.g. schools) healthcare standards – and particularly detailed standards including corridors don’t exist. Just to mention a few – Czech […]
Noisy dental clinics! Research presented at Internoise 2020
Internoise 2020 in Korea was held as an e-congress and the committee made it possible for all the attendees to access papers and pre-recorded presentations whenever they wanted to. An impressive platform with papers, presentations, chat rooms, videos, e-exhibition, and sponsor opportunities was open for 2 weeks and a lot of excellent material was accessible. […]
Effect of sound on nurses’ task performance
It is no secret that the effect of sound in healthcare can unfluence people negatively. Various studies over the years have shed light on how care and cure of patients get difficult if the sound environments are not supporting the activities. Patients suffer Patients are affected by sound levels in hospitals – and over the […]
New podcast: Sound without walls
One of our editors, Andrea Harman, has had the opportunity to discuss in a new podcast how room acoustics play an important part in biophilic design. Sound without walls. Our hearing is often key in our perception of the world around us; it helps us to interact, communicate and be aware of what is happening […]
Great acoustics in operating rooms!
Noise in hospitals Noise levels have steadily increased in hospitals over the last >40 years, both daytime and nighttime [1]. The noise level in operating rooms can be particularly difficult and research shows that this may affect the ability of the staff to perceive proper oral instruction; it also affects their perceived stress and well-being. […]