The German Acoustical Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik, DEGA) hosted the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics in the beautiful and historical city of Aachen in September 2019 The technical program included plenary, distinguished, invited, contributed, and poster papers covering all aspects of acoustics. There was also an extensive technical exposition highlighting the latest advances […]
Healthcare
Robot assisting the surgeon in the Operating Room!
One of our editors, Swedish Concept Developer Healthcare, Maria Quinn – had the opportunity to be present during a robot assisting the surgeon in the Operating Room. Here are her thoughts and reflections on the sound environment in such a specialized area. Robotic surgery Robotic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types […]
Acoustics affect staff in the OR
Introduction Sustainable working environments include good room acoustics but working in and operation room (OR) can be a challenge. Due to hygiene regulations and demands the surfaces are often hard and reflective and this leads to high sound pressure levels, bad speech clarity and long reverberation times. The Study At Hvidovre Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark […]
Bad acoustics – higher pulse, more medication
Healthcare and sound Some of us have tried to be sick in a hospital – most of us have tried to be relatives to a sick person in a hospital – and all of us have been affected by sound. Sometimes we are aware of it – sometimes we suffer without knowing it. This following […]
Short reverberation time in critical care is not enough
Short reverberation time does not do the whole trick in healthcare facilities, it´s the peaks that will wake the patients up! Out of our comfort zone When we are sick and feel bad – we seem to forget that just opening the door to a hospital makes us out of our comfort zone. Our system […]
Care closer to Home
Research and evaluation for care closer to home Across Europe, we need health systems focused on care closer to the patient. Chronic illness and multi-morbidity – particularly concerning older citizens – means that care models must respond appropriately! Hospitals remain important and valued institutions, but citizens need access to timely intervention and treatment at a […]
Healthcare paradox and 5 tips
Traffic noise makes us sick The Danish Cancer Foundation has concluded less than 2 years ago that traffic noise can lead to breast cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The Danish Ministry of Environment concluded at the same time that 500 Danes die every year because of traffic noise – because of diabetes, stress and cardio vascular […]
Hospitals. Noise. Sleep. Finally an acoustic standard!
New acoustic standard for hospitals in Denmark This year a new acoustic standard for hospitals will be approved in Denmark. Up until now there has only been some rough guidelines (not mandatory). The acoustic demand will be on reverberation time. The value will be 0.6 sec. in e.g. patient rooms, examination rooms and corridors. There […]
5 tips for the hearing impaired
One of our editors, Morten Roar Berg, has recently been a speaker at an event for hearing impaired people. Here are his reflections after the event. Recently I had the pleasure of doing my first presentation for a crowd with either inborn hearing impairment or hearing damage. It really broadened my professional perspective. In my […]
Euronoise 2018 – Building Acoustics and Health
Our editor Andrea Harman, Concept Developer for Healthcare in the UK, attended Euronoise in Crete. Here are her main takeaway points from the session: Building Acoustics and Health. Effects of children charcteristics on sound environment in fast food restaurants in china – Liu Shanshan This interesting session started with the question would you like to […]
