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.
- Location
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Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
- Extent
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Online-Ressource
- Language
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Englisch
- Bibliographic citation
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Perceived quality of a nighttime hospital soundscape ; volume:11 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; extent:19
Noise mapping ; 11, Heft 1 (2024) (gesamt 19)
- Creator
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Lenzi, Sara
Lindborg, PerMagnus
Spagnol, Simone
Kamphuis, Daan
Özcan, Elif
- DOI
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10.1515/noise-2024-0010
- URN
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urn:nbn:de:101:1-2408021946002.439110065275
- Rights
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Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
- Last update
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14.08.2025, 10:51 AM CEST
Data provider
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek. If you have any questions about the object, please contact the data provider.
Associated
- Lenzi, Sara
- Lindborg, PerMagnus
- Spagnol, Simone
- Kamphuis, Daan
- Özcan, Elif
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