Journal
NEONATAL NETWORK
Volume 24, Issue 6, Pages 33-37Publisher
SPRINGER PUBLISHING CO
DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.24.6.33
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Funding
- National Institutes of Health, Institute of Nursing Research [NIH/NINR P20 NR07791, NIH/NCRR MO1 RR00082]
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Purpose: Elevated sound levels in the NICU may contribute to undesirable physiologic and behavioral effects in preterm infants. This study describes sound levels in a busy NICU in the southeastern U.S. and compares the findings with recommended NICE noise level standards. Design: NICU sound levels were recorded continuously at nine different locations within the NICU. Hourly measurements of loudness equivalent (Leq) sound level, sound level exceeded 10 percent of the time (L-10), and maximum sound level (Lmax) were determined. Sample: Sound levels were sampled from nine different locations within the NICU. Main Outcome Variable: Sound levels are described using the hourly, A-weighted Leq, L-10, and Lmax. Results: The overall average hourly Leq (M = 60.44 dB, range = 55-68 dB), L-10 (M = 59.26 dB, range = 55-66 dB), and Lmax (M = 78.39, range = 69-93 dB) were often above the recommended sound levels (hourly Leq <50 dB, L-10 <55 dB, and 1-second Lmax <70 dB). In addition, certain times of day, such as 6-7 AM and 10 AM-12 noon, were noisier than other times of day.
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