Evaluation of noise levels and noise sources in an Irish neonatal intensive care unit.

Objectives: This study: (i) quantified the typical noise levels in an Irish neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and compared the values to recommendations by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and the European Standards for Care for Newborn Health (EFCNI) and to occupational exposure limit value and exposure action values; and (ii) qualified the perception of noise levels and the sources of noise across the various stakeholders within a typical NICU.

Methods: A noise survey was conducted in an Irish NICU. Observations identified practices and behaviours in the NICU that potentially had an impact on noise levels.