Noise levels – how it is experienced by staff We have building regulations for room acoustics in hospitals in Intensive Care Units (ICU). But are they enough to create a good environment for both staff and patients? Recently a new study from Copenhagen hospitals was finalized so let’s take a look at some of the […]
work environment
Modular operating rooms provide good acoustics for surgeons
Lego construction for operating rooms Modular operating rooms are being seen more and more on the market. It takes less time to get it up and running compared to a traditionally built hospital. It´s cost-effective, time-saving, and can be taken down and moved when it´s not needed anymore. However, it can negatively affect acoustics due […]
Smart Workspace Design Summit highlights workplace design – including acoustics
Smart Workspace Design Summit took place in Amsterdam October 4-5 (2018) and participants from all walks of the workplace trade joined in as to share and acquire related knowledge. You may call this event an international knowledge hub for workplace design. Two days of content, five expert panel discussions and two workshops. The broad approach […]
Impact of noise in Healthcare premises
Healthcare premises: reflections on sound by hospital staff Children crying. Alarms beeping. Verbal communication. Footsteps. Healthcare premises are often complex sound environments and the cognitive load on staff is getting more and more challenging. Despite this, nurses and doctors rarely complain if the acoustics are not suitable for the activities – because their number one […]
A Busy – but quiet – kitchen
Architect Jürgen Busack was convinced that he could create a more humane working environent in the catering kitchen at Rickling psychiatric hospital, north of Hamburg, by tackling room acoustics seriously. “The noise that often dominates kitchen environments shocked me when I visited catering establishments, it’s an unreasonable noise level for employees. Effective acoustic ceilings and […]
Work noise increases risk of hearing loss
Photograph: hear it.org – nursery teachers wearing hearing protection Daily exposure to excessive noise in the workplace is the primary factor in many cases of hearing loss in the working population. For more information read more about this and a series of articles published by hear it.org regarding excessive noise for office workers, teachers, nursery […]
