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The harmful effects of noise in a children's ward
Author(s) -
KEIPERT JAMES A.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1985.tb00137.x
Subject(s) - annoyance , medicine , crying , worry , noise (video) , distress , audiology , noise exposure , medical emergency , environmental health , psychiatry , clinical psychology , hearing loss , anxiety , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics) , loudness
Because of concerns frequently expressed by members of staff about the annoyance caused by noise in a children's ward, noise levels were measured. These confirmed that ambient and peak levels were well in excess of levels recommended for hospital wards and were often above those recommended for average outdoor situations. The harmful effects of noise in general are discussed with regard to annoyance and the effects on hearing, performance, accident rates, social relationships and sleep. Interviews with members of ward staff confirmed a high degree of worry about noise levels and revealed that machines for ward cleaning were the most annoying noise source, followed by the crying of infants. Patients and parents probably suffer similar annoyance and distress from noise. Possible harmful effects on patients are discussed and measures to reduce noise levels in wards are suggested.