Auditory Assistance

Research on noise in hospitals and other health care settings shows that patients and clinical staff identify noise as a major stressor. Moreover, traditional infection control solutions often work against a healthy acoustic environment. For example, surfaces covered with hard materials for easy cleaning generally rather reflect than absorb. Likewise, acoustical duct linings for muffling mechanical noises are prohibited between final filters and room air devices in many hospital areas. Still, there are a number of actions a design team can take to help reduce noise levels in the environment of care.