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An observational study of sound exposure in a single-room configured neonatal unit (SENSE study)
Journal article   Peer reviewed

An observational study of sound exposure in a single-room configured neonatal unit (SENSE study)

Kobi Best, Ian Hughes, Karen New and Fiona Bogossian
Journal of Neonatal Nursing, Vol.26(6), pp.344-351
2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.05.002
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.05.002View
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Abstract

Neonatal intensive care Decibels Developmental care Sound recommendations Environmental noise
To measure sound exposure in an Australian single-room configured, neonatal unit and compare findings to current sound level recommendations. Sound meters were placed inside 51 internal environments (incubators or open cots), and within the surrounding environment of each occupied single room between September 15 and October 28, 2015. One-second incremental monitoring of decibels on an A-weighted scale (dBA), occurred over a minimum of 48 h. All equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (Leq) were significantly higher than the recommended 45 dBA for both incubators and open cots. Maximum sound levels (Lmax) were significantly higher than the recommended 65 dBA, peaking at 126.7 dBA inside the incubator and 124.7 dBA inside the open cot. Incubators were observed to have a higher total percentage of time above 45 dBA than open cots for both day (99.84% vs. 75.59%) and night (98.66% vs. 59.56%). Sound levels exceeded the recommended maximum exposure levels outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The long-term sequelae of adverse sensory exposure on preterm neurodevelopment remains unclear. Renewed attention on factors contributing to increased sound levels in neonatal units needs to be a clinical priority.

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