Sound exposure in a purpose built, single room configured neonatal unit - A survey of clinical neonatal staff

Kobi Best; Karen New; Fiona Bogossian

doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2024.101614

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Sound exposure in a purpose built, single room configured neonatal unit - A survey of clinical neonatal staff

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Sound exposure in a purpose built, single room configured neonatal unit - A survey of clinical neonatal staff

Kobi Best, Karen New and Fiona Bogossian

Journal of Neonatal Nursing, Vol.31(2), pp.1-6

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2024.101614

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Abstract

Developmental outcomes

Preterm infants

Sound exposure

Sound intensity

Survey

Introduction: Sound levels in neonatal units continue to exceed recommendations. Elevated sound exposures experienced by preterm infants may contribute to poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes. Method: A 10-question survey assessed neonatal clinicians’ opinions and awareness of sound intensity and exposures in a single room configured neonatal unit; and sound level recommendations. Results: Seventy-three of 122 (60%) clinicians responded to the survey. Respondents rated 12 equipment items or activities within the range of moderately to extremely loud, although 81% (n = 59) either strongly or moderately agreed single rooms reduced sound levels. Less than 50% strongly agreed that loud sounds disrupt growth and development. Only 41% (n = 30) and 27% (n = 20) were aware of recommended average and peak sound levels respectively. Conclusion: Clinicians were able to subjectively rate sound intensity, however most lacked awareness of sound level recommendations. Sound levels and exposures were high with the prominent sources of excessive sound arising from essential neonatal equipment.

Details

Title: Sound exposure in a purpose built, single room configured neonatal unit - A survey of clinical neonatal staff
Authors: Kobi Best (Corresponding Author) - The University of Queensland
Karen New - The University of Queensland
Fiona Bogossian - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health
Publication details: Journal of Neonatal Nursing, Vol.31(2), pp.1-6
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnn.2024.101614
ISSN: 1878-089X; 1355-1841
Copyright note: © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Neonatal Nurses Association. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Grant note: The randomised control trial component of this body of research for a PhD thesis was financially supported by The National Health and Medical Research Council (GNT1133548), The University of Queensland, Gold Coast University Hospital Private Practice Trust and Queensland Health.
Organisation Unit: School of Health; School of Health - Midwifery
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991127095702621
Output Type: Journal article

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