Healthcare facility environments are often designed for infection control and washability, but not to support a quiet space, according to an article on the Architecture and Design website.
A study by acoustical engineers at Johns Hopkins University said hospital noise levels have grown steadily over the past five decades.
A hospital’s walls may be the first line of defense in acoustic design, but the floor and ceiling can also control noise, experts say.
Hospitals that replace "hard-lid" ceilings with high-performance acoustic panels have been able to reduce decibel levels and improve patient sleep without sacrificing cleanliness or infection control, the article said.
A 'Superbug' Is on the Rise in Hospitals
The Next Generation of Security Tech in Healthcare Facilities
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Petersburg Opens
Why More Facilities are Adding Gender Neutral Restrooms
Massachusetts Hospital Cyberattack Reflects Growing Vulnerability in Healthcare Systems