Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of Noise on Patient Recovery

  • Noise Pollution (P Zannin, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pollution Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The present review aims to highlight the noise effects on the patients’ well-being and by inference on their recovery, during their hospitalization, and also the effectiveness of applied interventions to reduce noise in the health care environment.

Recent Findings

Key findings reported in relevant studies and conducted during the last 4 years are as follows: (a) noise continues to be above guideline values in health care facilities; (b) noise can disturb the sleep of the patients, can affect their rest and the communication between patients/staff/visitors, and finally can affect the staff effectiveness; (c) interventions to reduce the noise are promising but not well proven; and (d) the derived conclusions about the relationship between noise and the healing process are made indirectly and not by measurable patients’ physical parameters.

Summary

The pathways that theoretically connect noise and the healing of the patients are numerous and still unclear. An extensively examined pathway infers that noise can disturb sleep and thus may prevent the patient’s recovery. Other pathways that relate noise to the recovery of the inpatients remain unknown, such as the aggravation/degradation of measureable physical parameters or the re-hospitalization due to noise, or the effect of the low-frequency noise. A protocol to conduct noise monitoring is required, as well as validated questionnaires, to examine the inpatient’s subjective perceptions for their acoustic environment. This may lead to comparable results among the relevant studies and hence to robust interventions for the improvement of the noise environment for hospitalized patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Adam K. Sleep as a Restorative Process and a Theory to Explain Why. In: McConnell PS, Boer GJ, Romijn HJ, Van De Poll NE, Corner MA, editors. Progress in Brain Research. Elsevier. 1980;289–305.

  2. Afshar PF, Bahramnezhad F, Asgari P, Shiri M. Effect of white noise on sleep in patients admitted to a coronary care. J Caring Sci. 2016;5(2):103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Andrade KP, LLAd O, Souza RP, Matos IM. Noise level measurement and its effects on hospital employees based on complaint reports. Rev CEFAC. 2016;18(6):1379–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Allaouchiche B, Duflo F, Debon R, Bergeret A, Chassard D. Noise in the postanaesthesia care unit. Br J Anaesth. 2002;88(3):369–73. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/88.3.369.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Applebaum D, Calo O, Neville K. Implementation of quiet time for noise reduction on a medical-surgical unit. JONA. 2016;46(12):669–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. A.o.A.A. Consultants (2017). Association of australasian acoustical consultants guideline for healthcare facilities, version 2.0. https://aaac.org.au/resources/Documents/Public/Healthcare%20Facilities%20V2.0.pdf (assessed 17 Sept 2019).

  7. Babisch W. The noise/stress concept, risk assessment and research needs. Noise Health. 2002;4(16):1.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bani Younis M, Hayajneh F, Batiha A-M. Measurement and nonpharmacologic management of sleep disturbance in the intensive care units: a literature review. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2019a;42(1):75–80. https://doi.org/10.1097/cnq.0000000000000240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bani Younis MK, Hayajneh FA, Alduraidi H. Effectiveness of using eye mask and earplugs on sleep length and quality among intensive care patients: a quasi-experimental study. Int J Nurs Pract. 2019b;25(3):e12740. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Basner M, Babisch W, Davis A, Brink M, Clark C, Janssen S, et al. Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health. Lancet. 2014;383(9925):1325–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Basner M, McGuire S. WHO environmental noise guidelines for the European region: a systematic review on environmental noise and effects on sleep. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(3):519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Berglund B, Lindvall T, Schwela DH, World Health Organization O, Environmental Health T. Guidelines for community noise. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1999.

  13. Bion V, Lowe ASW, Puthucheary Z, Montgomery H. Reducing sound and light exposure to improve sleep on the adult intensive care unit: an inclusive narrative review. J Intensive Care Soc. 2018;19(2):138–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/1751143717740803.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Bliefnick JM, Ryherd EE, Jackson R. Evaluating hospital soundscapes to improve patient experience. J Acoust Soc Am. 2019;145(2):1117–28. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5090493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Blomkvist V, Eriksen CA, Theorell T, Ulrich R, Rasmanis G. Acoustics and psychosocial environment in intensive coronary care. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62(3):e1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Burdick K, Courtney M, Wallace MT, Baum Miller SH, Schlesinger JJ. Living and working in a multisensory world: from basic neuroscience to the hospital. Multimodal Technol Interact. 2019;3(1):2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Camuccio CA, Sanavia M, Cutrone F, Marella I, Gregio M, Cabbia C, et al. Noise levels in an acute psychiatric unit: an exploratory observational study. Issues Mental Health Nurs. 2019;40(6):493–502. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2018.1557301.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Carvalhais C, Santos J, Xavier A, Silva MV. Noise reduction and control in hospital environment: design of the NeoNoise project. In: Ahmed N, ed. Advances in Noise Analysis, Mitigation and Control. Rijeka: InTech; 2016;229–244. https://www.intechopen.com/books/advances-in-noise-analysis-mitigation-and-control/noise-reduction-and-control-in-hospital-environment-design-of-the-neonoise-project. Accessed 25 Dec 2019.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Choiniere DB. The effects of hospital noise. Nurs Adm Q. 2010;34(4):327–33. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0b013e3181f563db.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cowan JP. Psychological Effects of Sound Exposure. In: Cowan JP, editor. The Effects of Sound on People. John Wiley & Sons; 2016;81–101.

  21. Cunha M, Silva N. Hospital noise and patients’ wellbeing. Procedia Soc Behav Sci. 2015;171:246–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Delaney L, Litton E, Van Haren F. The effectiveness of noise interventions in the ICU. Currt Opin Anesthesiol. 2019;32(2):144–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/aco.0000000000000708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Delaney LJ. The role of sleep in patient recovery. Aust Nurs Midwifery J. 2016;23(7):26–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Delaney LJ, Currie MJ, Huang H-CC, Lopez V, Van Haren F. “They can rest at home”: an observational study of patients’ quality of sleep in an Australian hospital. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):524. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3201-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Gabor JY, Cooper AB, Crombach SA, Lee B, Kadikar N, Bettger HE, et al. Contribution of the intensive care unit environment to sleep disruption in mechanically ventilated patients and healthy subjects. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;167(5):708–15. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.2201090.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Garside J, Stephenson J, Curtis H, Morrell M, Dearnley C, Astin F. Are noise reduction interventions effective in adult ward settings? A systematic review and meta analysis. Appl Nurs Res. 2018;44:6–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2018.08.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Hagerman I, Rasmanis G, Blomkvist V, Ulrich R, Anne Eriksen C, Theorell T. Influence of intensive coronary care acoustics on the quality of care and physiological state of patients. Int J Cardiol. 2005;98(2):267–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2003.11.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Hahad O, Beutel M, Gori T, Schulz A, Blettner M, Pfeiffer N, et al. Annoyance to different noise sources is associated with atrial fibrillation in the Gutenberg Health Study. Int J Cardiol. 2018;264:79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.03.126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hsu S-M, Ko W-J, Liao W-C, Huang S-J, Chen RJ, Li C-Y, et al. Associations of exposure to noise with physiological and psychological outcomes among post-cardiac surgery patients in ICUs. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010;65(10):985–9. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-59322010001000011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Jones K. Environmental Noise and Health: A Review. ERCD REPORT 0907, City: UK Civil Aviation Authority, 2010. https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ERCD0907.pdf. Accessed 25 Dec 2019.

  31. Kane HS, Dacanay D, Renzi J, Wilson L. The Shhh Campaign: Noise Reduction to Improve Patient Outcomes. 2018. https://sigma.nursingrepository.org/handle/10755/624280. Accessed 25 Dec 2019.

  32. Korompeli A, Muurlink O, Kavrochorianou N, Katsoulas T, Fildissis G, Baltopoulos G. Circadian disruption of ICU patients: a review of pathways, expression, and interventions. J Crit Care. 2017;38:269–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2016.12.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Lawson N, Thompson K, Saunders G, Saiz J, Richardson J, Brown D, et al. Sound intensity and noise evaluation in a critical care unit. Am J Crit Care. 2010;19(6):e88–98. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2010180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Loupa G, Fotopoulou S, Tsagarakis KP. A tool for analysing the interdependence of indoor environmental quality and reported symptoms of the hospitals’ personnel. J Risk Res. 2015:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2015.1119182.

  35. Loupa G, Katikaridis A, Karali D, Rapsomanikis S. Mapping the noise in a Greek general hospital. Sci Total Environ. 2019;646:923–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Mariconte R, Giliberti C, Cavuto C, Strigari L, editors. Noise in healthcare facilities. 22nd International Congress on Sound and Vibration, ICSV 2015; 2015: International Institute of Acoustics and Vibrations. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Raffaele_Mariconte/publication/280096374_NOISE_IN_HEALTHCARE_FACILITIES/links/55a8d69008aea3d0867ca7ea/NOISE-IN-HEALTHCARE-FACILITIES.pdf. Accessed 25 Dec 2019.

  37. McGough NNH, Keane T, Uppal A, Dumlao M, Rutherford W, Kellogg K, et al. Noise reduction in progressive care units. J Nurs Care Qual. 2018;33(2):166–72. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncq.0000000000000275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Messingher G, Ryherd E, Ackerman J. Hospital noise and staff performance. J Acoust Soc Am. 2012;132(3):2031.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Milani RV, Bober RM, Lavie CJ, Wilt JK, Milani AR, White CJ. Reducing hospital toxicity: impact on patient outcomes. Am J Med. 2018;131(8):961–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.04.013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Montes-González D, Barrigón-Morillas JM, Gómez Escobar V, Vílchez-Gómez R, Rey-Gozalo G, Atanasio-Moraga P, et al. Environmental noise around hospital areas: a case study. Environments. 2019;6(4):41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Plummer NR, Herbert A, Blundell JE, Howarth R, Baldwin J, Laha S. SoundEar noise warning devices cause a sustained reduction in ambient noise in adult critical care. J Intensive Care Soc. 2018;20(2):106–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1751143718767773.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Salonen H, Lahtinen M, Lappalainen S, Nevala N, Knibbs LD, Morawska L, et al. Physical characteristics of the indoor environment that affect health and wellbeing in healthcare facilities: a review. Intell Build Int. 2013;5(1):3–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Short M, Pearson A. Effects of noise pollution on healthcare staff and patients. A White Paper, Retrieve from: https://www.soundmask.com.au/pdf/2011whitepaper-v2.pdf. Accessed 26 Dec 2019.

  44. Simons KS, Verweij E, Lemmens PM, Jelfs S, Park M, Spronk PE, et al. Noise in the intensive care unit and its influence on sleep quality: a multicenter observational study in Dutch intensive care units. Crit Care. 2018;22(1):250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Smith A, Whitney H, Thomas M, Perry K, Brockman P. Effects of caffeine and noise on mood, performance and cardiovascular functioning. Hum Psychopharmacol Clin Exp. 1997;12(1):27–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Szalma JL, Hancock PA. Noise effects on human performance: a meta-analytic synthesis. Psychol Bull. 2011;137(4):682–707.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Tamura H, Ohgami N, Yajima I, Iida M, Ohgami K, Fujii N, et al. Chronic exposure to low frequency noise at moderate levels causes impaired balance in mice. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39807.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Tan X, van Egmond L, Partinen M, Lange T, Benedict C. A narrative review of interventions for improving sleep and reducing circadian disruption in medical inpatients. Sleep Med. 2019;59:42–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2018.08.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Trovato G, Paredes R, Balvin J, Cuellar F, Thomsen NB, Bech S et al., editors. The Sound or Silence: Investigating the Influence of Robot Noise on Proxemics. 2018 27th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN); 2018;27–31. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=8525795. Accessed 25 Dec 2019.

  50. Tsara V, Nena E, Serasli E, Vasileiadis V, Matamis D, Christaki P. Noise levels in Greek hospitals. Noise & health. 2008;10(41):110–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.44350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Information on levels of environmental noise requisite to protect public health and welfare with adequate margin of safety (report no. 550-9-74-004). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office; 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Walker ED, Brammer A, Cherniack MG, Laden F, Cavallari JM. Cardiovascular and stress responses to short-term noise exposures—a panel study in healthy males. Environ Res. 2016;150:391–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Walker L, Karl CA. The hospital (not so) quiet zone: creating an environment for patient satisfaction through noise reduction strategies. HERD. 2019;12(4):197–202. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586719839229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Xyrichis A, Wynne J, Mackrill J, Rafferty AM, Carlyle A. Noise pollution in hospitals. BMJ. 2018;363:k4808. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4808.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Zannin P, Ferraz F. Assessment of indoor and outdoor noise pollution at a university hospital based on acoustic measurements and noise mapping. Open J Acoust. 2016;6(4):71–85. https://doi.org/10.4236/oja.2016.64006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Zannin PHT, Milanês ML, De Oliveira Filho MVM. Evaluation of noise in the vicinity of a hospital and a gated community. Curr Urban Stud. 2019;7(1):59–75. https://doi.org/10.4236/cus.2019.71004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Zhang Y, Tzortzopoulos P, Kagioglou M. Healing built-environment effects on health outcomes: environment–occupant–health framework. Build Res Inf. 2019;47(6):747–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2017.1411130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and of Control Engineering of Atmospheric Pollutants, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, V. Sofias 12, 67100, Xanthi, Greece

    Glykeria Loupa

Authors
  1. Glykeria Loupa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glykeria Loupa.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

There is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Noise Pollution

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Loupa, G. Influence of Noise on Patient Recovery. Curr Pollution Rep 6, 1–7 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-019-00134-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-019-00134-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation