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December 2000, Volume 20, Number 8s, Pages S94-S99 |
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Original Article |
NICU Sound Environment and the Potential Problems for Caregivers |
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| Karen A Thomas PhD RN1 and Patricia A Martin PhD RN2 |
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1Department of Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
2College of Nursing and Health, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
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Correspondence to: Karen A. Thomas PhD RN , Department of Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington, Box 357262, Seattle, WA 98195-7262.
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Abstract |
| While concerns regarding the effects of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) sound environment have primarily centered on infants, caregivers are exposed to the same auditory stimuli. In a review of the literature on adult responses to sound, behavioral and physiological responses to sound as well as influence on job performance and communication are examined. Hearing damage among caregivers is unlikely given the sound levels of the typical NICU. The effect of the NICU sound environment on caregivers has received little attention in research; however, findings from other researches of responses to sound suggest that a variety of physiological and behavioral responses may occur in response to the NICU sound environment, and that the sound intensity of the NICU may interfere with communication and job performance. Journal of Perinatology 2000; 20:S94-S99. |
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December 2000, Volume 20, Number 8s, Pages S94-S99 |
Table of contents Previous Abstract Next Article PDF |
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