Perceived quality of a nighttime hospital soundscape

Abstract: The hospital soundscape is known for high noise levels and a perception of chaos, leading to concerns about its impact on patients, families, professionals, and other hospital staff. This study investigates the relationship between sound, Annoyance, and sleep quality in a multi-patient neurology ward. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Interviews were conducted with medical staff (n = 7) to understand their experiences with sound. Questionnaires and sleep tracking devices (n = 20) assessed patient sleep quality and Annoyance caused by sound events. In addition, listeners (n = 28) annotated 429 nighttime audio recordings to identify sound sources and rate Annoyance level, which we considered the key emotional descriptor for patients. Over 9,200 sound events were analysed. While snoring, a patient-generated sound dominated the nighttime soundscape and was highly rated for Annoyance, and staff-generated sounds such as speech and footsteps were found to contribute more to accumulated Annoyance due to their extended duration. This study suggests that patient sleep quality can be improved by focusing on design interventions that reduce the impact of specific sounds. These might include raising awareness among staff about activities that might produce annoying sounds and implementing strategies to mitigate their disruptive effects.

Standort
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
Umfang
Online-Ressource
Sprache
Englisch

Erschienen in
Perceived quality of a nighttime hospital soundscape ; volume:11 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; extent:19
Noise mapping ; 11, Heft 1 (2024) (gesamt 19)

Urheber
Lenzi, Sara
Lindborg, PerMagnus
Spagnol, Simone
Kamphuis, Daan
Özcan, Elif

DOI
10.1515/noise-2024-0010
URN
urn:nbn:de:101:1-2408021946002.439110065275
Rechteinformation
Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
Letzte Aktualisierung
14.08.2025, 10:51 MESZ

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Beteiligte

  • Lenzi, Sara
  • Lindborg, PerMagnus
  • Spagnol, Simone
  • Kamphuis, Daan
  • Özcan, Elif

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