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Living in a Box

Understanding Acoustic Parameters in the NICU Environment

What does a neonatal incubator sound like from the inside? This study investigates sound levels, acoustic characteristics, and resonances within the environment experienced by preterm infants.

Original Research Article | Frontiers in Pediatrics, 27 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1147226

Authors

Christoph Reuter1*, Lisa Bartha-Doering2, Isabella Czedik-Eysenberg1,3, Marcus Maeder4, Matthias A. Bertsch5, Katharina Bibl6, Philipp Deindl7, Angelika Berger6, and Vito Giordano6

1 Department of Musicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2 Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
3 Music Technology and Digital Musicology Lab, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
4 Department of Engineering Physics and Computation, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
5 Department of Music Physiology, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
6 Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
7 Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

Study Overview

Background: Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units are exposed to an acoustic environment that differs substantially from that in the womb. Although NICU noise has been studied extensively, less is known about the specific sound characteristics inside an incubator. This study examined environmental noise, incubator handling, and respiratory support.

Methods: Measurements were conducted at the Pediatric Simulation Center of the Medical University of Vienna. Sound levels inside and outside the incubator were compared using A-weighted and unweighted measurements. More than 70 temporal, spectral, and modulatory sound features were analysed. Measurements were complemented by a numerical model of the incubator cavity.

Results: Many everyday NICU situations produced high sound levels. The incubator reduced some high-frequency components and made external sounds less bright, sharp, rough, and noisy. At the same time, its cavity generated a pronounced low-frequency resonance. A resonance at approximately 97 Hz amplified sound components in this frequency range by up to 28 dB.

Conclusion: Sound level alone does not adequately describe the acoustic exposure of preterm infants. Low-frequency resonances, spectral characteristics, and unweighted sound levels should also be considered when assessing and designing neonatal incubators.

Key Findings

  • The acoustic environment inside an incubator differs substantially from what staff and family members hear outside.
  • The incubator attenuates some high-frequency components but does not provide general protection against noise.
  • A strong cavity resonance occurs at approximately 97 Hz.
  • This resonance can amplify low-frequency sound components by up to 28 dB.
  • A-weighted measurements may underestimate relevant low-frequency exposure.
  • Acoustic characteristics should be considered in the future design and evaluation of neonatal incubators.

Research Article and Related Resources

Press and Media Coverage

University and Scientific Communications

  • Medical University of Vienna
    Inkubatoren auf der Intensivstation erzeugen Geräusche und können das Gehör von Frühgeborenen schädigen

  • University of Vienna
    Geräusche von Inkubatoren auf der Intensivstation können das Gehör von Frühgeborenen schädigen

  • pressetext
    Lärmpegel im Brutkasten für Frühchen riskant

  • myScience
    Intensive care incubators resonate sounds and risk damage to preterm infants’ hearing, scientists say

  • Scienmag
    Intensive care incubators resonate sounds and risk damage to premature babies’ hearing

  • ScienceBlog
    ICU incubators risk damage to babies’ hearing

News Coverage in Austria and Germany

  • Die Presse
    Geräusche in Brutkästen könnten Gehör von Frühgeborenen schädigen

  • Salzburger Nachrichten
    Brutkasten-Geräusche können Gehör von Frühchen schädigen

  • Kleine Zeitung
    Brutkasten-Geräusche können Gehör von Frühchen schädigen

  • Tiroler Tageszeitung
    Geräusche in Brutkästen können Gehör von Frühgeborenen schädigen

  • Pflege Professionell
    Lärmpegel im Brutkasten für Frühchen riskant

  • Nau.ch
    Geräusche in Brutkästen können Gehör von Frühgeborenen schädigen

International News Coverage

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