Improving acoustics in healthcare

Benefits of the right acoustics in healthcare

Where rest, care and health are the main drivers, the benefits of a good acoustic environment speak for themselves:

• Better intelligibility
• Better speech privacy
• Less noise pollution from equipment
• A calm and safe environment
• Faster recovery
• Better night's sleep
• Less absenteeism among healthcare staff
• Less need for medicines
• Less overstimulation
• Less introspection, less passive behaviour
• Less self-doubt and depression related to communication problems in hearing loss
• More positive perception of care and healthcare staff
• More comfort

So good acoustics are good for both the patient and the care taker.

1. In which room(s) do people experience the problems?
The areas within the healthcare and welfare sector with the most problems are the waiting room, the reception desk, the practice and consulting rooms, the corridors and stairwells and the general accommodation areas in (residential) care centres.

2. Which laws and regulations do we have to take into account?
In The Netherlands there are no specific rules or laws for acoustics in healthcare. Of course, healthcare institutions do have to deal with working conditions legislation and they must create a calm and safe environment for both the care provider and the care recipient. Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg have their own rules.

3. Where exactly is the problem?
Before we can give you an advice for your specific situation, we first conduct a thorough acoustic audit. We then offer you the solution that suits the wishes and requirements of the environment and the interior of the room. Hygiene and whether the space remains practical for the staff is also taken into account here. In this way we create the most suitable acoustic solution for your healthcare institution.