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Establishing a noise measurement protocol for neonatal intensive care units.

OBJECTIVES
To compare three noise exposure measurement methods and determine the effect of location within the nursery, time of day, day of week, shift, and activities such as nursing shift change and physicians' rounds on noise measurements.


STUDY DESIGN
We performed a noise distribution survey, central site measurements, and quadrant area measurements in our nursery. The measurements made were sound pressure level and hourly LEQ, LMAX, and L10.


RESULTS
The noise distribution survey method was least useful because steady-state noise sources were the exception. Differences between central site and quadrant area measurements were minimal. There was no significant effect of time of day, shift change, or physician rounds on the noise measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
In an open nursery with excessive noise levels central site measurements over a relatively short time accurately reflect the noise exposure. A protocol for measuring noise exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit is appended.