Noise in the Nicu
Noise in the NICU: Is it too loud?
Jamie Nordberg
Western Governors University
WGU Student ID#000282046
Final Paper
Noise in the NICU: Is it too loud?
The NICU is often cluttered with loud, unpredictable noises from a variety of sources; such as cardiorespiratory alarms, ventilators, phones, opening and closing of portholes on incubators, and staff conversation. Simple caregiver tasks such as running water, opening packages inside an incubator, disposing of trash in a metal container, and placing formula bottles on a bedside table, all can produce sounds well over recommended levels, some as loud as 75.3 decibels (Johnson, 2003). However, an optimal physical, psychological, and social environment is a necessity for the preterm infant to have the best outcome, and safe sound levels are essential for healthy development. While the mature infant is very equipped to handle the stressors encountered in the extra uterine environment, the fragile preterm infant is very sensitive to stimulation from the outside world and lacks the autonomic and functional maturity to filter and process stimuli (Zahr, 1995). Studies have shown that adults exposed to excessive noise has resulted in noise-induced hearing loss, and a clear correlation has been found between noise incidence and intensity, and noise-induced stimulation of the autonomic nervous system, Results have shown marked increases in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (Pediatrics, 2007). In a single day an infant in the NICU can be constantly exposed to ambient noise alone that often exceeds recommended levels (Wachman & Lahav, 2010; Zahr, 1995). The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended noise levels not exceed an hourly level of 45 decibels, but often noise inside an incubator can be found to be greater than 100 decibels (Pediatrics, 2007; Wachman, 2010). There is a growing concern that this intense sound can put the infant at an increased risk for adverse health effects, and the
Jamie Nordberg
Western Governors University
WGU Student ID#000282046
Final Paper
Noise in the NICU: Is it too loud?
The NICU is often cluttered with loud, unpredictable noises from a variety of sources; such as cardiorespiratory alarms, ventilators, phones, opening and closing of portholes on incubators, and staff conversation. Simple caregiver tasks such as running water, opening packages inside an incubator, disposing of trash in a metal container, and placing formula bottles on a bedside table, all can produce sounds well over recommended levels, some as loud as 75.3 decibels (Johnson, 2003). However, an optimal physical, psychological, and social environment is a necessity for the preterm infant to have the best outcome, and safe sound levels are essential for healthy development. While the mature infant is very equipped to handle the stressors encountered in the extra uterine environment, the fragile preterm infant is very sensitive to stimulation from the outside world and lacks the autonomic and functional maturity to filter and process stimuli (Zahr, 1995). Studies have shown that adults exposed to excessive noise has resulted in noise-induced hearing loss, and a clear correlation has been found between noise incidence and intensity, and noise-induced stimulation of the autonomic nervous system, Results have shown marked increases in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (Pediatrics, 2007). In a single day an infant in the NICU can be constantly exposed to ambient noise alone that often exceeds recommended levels (Wachman & Lahav, 2010; Zahr, 1995). The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended noise levels not exceed an hourly level of 45 decibels, but often noise inside an incubator can be found to be greater than 100 decibels (Pediatrics, 2007; Wachman, 2010). There is a growing concern that this intense sound can put the infant at an increased risk for adverse health effects, and the