Sound levels Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sound levels - Essay Example There is no doubt that the amount of noise generated in the NICU can be significant. A study at the University of Padova established noise levels within and outside the incubator. It divided those noises into significant ‘white’ noise, and specific noises, which can be used by voluntary and involuntary noises generated when workers touched the plexiglass surface of the incubator, or connected or disconnected to the incubator. It appears that the background noise was less harmful than the sudden and unexpected noises, which tended to generate levels above 80 dB (Benini, 1997). A literature review discovered a good deal of evidence of neonatal stress from noise, with the most common measures being cardiovascular and respiratory response. The authors list the key stimuli, including sound intensity, and the effect that they have on the infant’s behavioral state. Some articles have differentiated the neonates by gestational age and infant maturity. As one of the co-authors found, however, the sample sizes were small, and the variables were not well controlled in most studies (Morris, 2000) Noise has been measured and reported upon in the NICU since the 1970’s. At that time, noise levels were reported in the 70-117 dB range, which is clearly above currently-acceptable levels (Peltzman, 1970) (Long, 1980) (Satish M. a.-S., 1993) (Satish M. S., 1991) . These studies suggested that continuous and elevated noise levels resulted in significant deterioration in healing and levels of nervousness in neonates. Early work on the effects of noise in the NICU concentrated on noise within the incubator itself; these led to improvements in incubator noise reduction, and resulted in a general emphasis on NICU noise reduction (Bess, 1979). It is always difficult to find accurate, reproducible responses of newborns to stimuli. One effect which can be reproduced is that of reduced noise on sleeping times for infants. Strauch et al led a study which