Background Noise levels on intensive care units (ICUs) are typically elevated. While many studies reported negative effects of ICU ambient sounds on patients, only few investigated noise as a factor to influence well-being or performance in healthcare professionals. Methods An online survey in the German-speaking part of Switzerland was conducted to assess how ICU soundscapes are subjectively perceived by healthcare professionals. The questionnaire was answered by 348 participants. Additionally, effects of noise on working memory performance were evaluated in an experimental noise exposure setting. Twenty-six healthcare professionals and 27 healthy controls performed a 2-back object-location task while being exposed to either ICU or pink noise. Results Survey results demonstrate that a majority of participants was aware of heightened noise levels. Participants reported that mostly well-being, performance, and attention could be reduced, along with subjective annoyance and fatigue by ICU ambient sounds. Although no significant effects of noise exposure on working memory performance was observed, self-assessments revealed significantly higher stress levels, increased annoyance and distraction ratings as well as decreased confidence in performance after ICU-noise exposure. Conclusion Subjective assessments indicate that heightened noise levels on ICUs induce annoyance, with heightened stress levels, impaired well-being, and reduced performance being potential consequences. Empirical evidence with objective and physiological measures is warranted.

中文翻译：

---

重症监护病房环境声音对医疗保健专业人员的影响：在线调查结果和实验环境中的噪声暴露

背景 重症监护病房 (ICU) 的噪音水平通常会升高。虽然许多研究报告了 ICU 环境声音对患者的负面影响，但只有少数研究将噪音作为影响医疗保健专业人员健康或表现的因素进行研究。方法 在瑞士德语区进行了一项在线调查，以评估医疗保健专业人员对 ICU 声景的主观感受。348 名参与者回答了该问卷。此外，在实验噪声暴露环境中评估了噪声对工作记忆性能的影响。26 名医疗保健专业人员和 27 名健康对照组在暴露于 ICU 或粉红噪音的情况下执行了 2 背物体定位任务。结果 调查结果表明，大多数参与者都意识到噪音水平升高。参与者报告说，ICU 环境声音主要会降低幸福感、表现和注意力，以及主观烦恼和疲劳。尽管没有观察到噪声暴露对工作记忆表现的显着影响，但自我评估显示，在 ICU 噪声暴露后，压力水平显着升高，烦恼和分心等级增加，并且对表现的信心下降。结论 主观评估表明，ICU 内噪音水平升高会引起烦恼，潜在后果包括压力水平升高、幸福感受损和表现下降。具有客观和生理测量的经验证据是必要的。