Soundscape evaluations in adult intensive care units

Hospitals should be conducive to patient recovery and safety as well as employee health and productivity. A series of studies are being conducted by the authors to evaluate the modern hospital soundscape and the psycho-physiological responses of occupants. This involves both a quantitative and qualitative approach to assessing the sound environment utilizing collaborations between engineering and medicine. In one study, noise measurements and staff questionnaires were conducted in a neurological intensive care unit. Acoustical characteristics such as level distributions, restorative periods, and spectral quality were explored. Personnel described various perceived reactions to the sound. A second study also included patient evaluations in a general intensive care unit. The testing methods and preliminary results are discussed.