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Noise consistently ranks as one of the top complaints from hospital patients, particularly when it comes to the quietness of the hospital at night. According to data from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), hospitals regularly receive their lowest patient satisfaction scores in this category.

Research indicates that excessive noise is the top complaint in over 60% of patient satisfaction surveys, with noise levels often exceeding WHO recommendations in hospitals. As hospitals strive to improve the patient experience, reducing noise has become a key focus—not just for enhancing comfort but also for protecting their reputations and Medicare reimbursements.

Where does all the noise come from?

Hospitals operate around the clock, and this 24/7 activity means they deal with a wider variety of noise sources compared to most businesses. These sources include:

Mechanical systems. A significant portion of the noise comes from mechanical equipment such as pumps, chillers, and HVAC systems. These systems, often located in equipment rooms or mechanical penthouses, produce a continuous hum as air flows through large ducts across multiple floors. Noise levels from these systems, in the equipment room, typically range between 60-95 dB(A).

In-room medical equipment. Patient rooms are filled with medical devices that produce frequent noises. Alarms from monitoring systems, IV pumps, and other essential equipment contribute to a steady stream of beeps and alerts, with some alarms reaching up to 80-85 dB(A). This creates a challenging auditory environment for both patients and staff.

Human activity. Hospitals are busy with constant human movement and interaction. Conversations between doctors and patients, staff coordinating care, cleaning crews, and visitors in waiting areas all contribute to the overall noise levels, which can sometimes reach 75 dB(A).

The combination of these noise sources makes controlling sound in hospitals a persistent challenge.

Why is controlling noise in hospitals so difficult?

Several factors make noise control in hospitals a unique challenge:

Proximity to patients. Much of the noise in hospitals occurs right next to the patient’s bed, where medical equipment and alarms are frequently active. Because these sounds are close to the patient, the ability to attenuate or reduce noise is significantly limited.

Reflective surfaces. To maintain a high standard of hygiene, hospitals use surfaces that are easy to clean, such as hard floors and smooth walls. Unfortunately, these materials are acoustically reflective, meaning they reflect sound rather than absorb it, which amplifies noise.

Limited noise-reduction options. A common noise-control method in other buildings is to use internal duct linings in HVAC systems, which reduce noise as air moves through the ducts. However, hospitals  avoid this strategy due to concerns about moisture buildup and potential contamination, especially in the supply air paths, which restricts noise mitigation solutions.

Continuous air circulation. Hospitals require constant airflow to maintain a clean environment, often using 100% fresh air. While this is essential for infection control, it adds to the noise levels as large volumes of air are circulated through the building’s mechanical systems.

Degradation of door seals. The cleaning agents used for sterilization can cause wear on the materials used in door seals, such as rubber or silicone. Over time, this can lead to reduced effectiveness as the seals may crack, shrink, or lose their flexibility, resulting in gaps that allow sound to pass through.

These factors, combined with the 24/7 activity in hospitals, create a particularly difficult environment for managing and reducing noise effectively.

Acoustic strategies for sound isolation and noise control in hospitals

When addressing noise control in hospitals, a combination of strategies is essential to create a quieter environment without compromising cleanliness or functionality. Some effective acoustic strategies include:

Zoning for sound isolation. Positioning mechanical suites, nursing stations, and other noisy areas away from patient spaces can significantly reduce sound intrusion. Architectural design strategies such as offsetting doorways and using storage rooms or corridors as buffer zones between noisy and quiet areas can enhance sound isolation. Importantly, these considerations need to be integrated into the planning process early on. Engaging acoustical consultants at this stage can produce ideas for layouts that result in cost-effective sound isolation.

Soft flooring. While hard flooring is typically preferred for its ease of cleaning, some hospitals are adopting softer, sound-damping materials to help reduce noise, particularly in high-traffic areas like hallways and waiting rooms. Materials like rubber and vinyl with acoustic backing are becoming more common due to their ability to dampen sound from footsteps, rolling carts, and equipment. Rubber flooring, for instance, can reduce noise by up to 10 decibels while still meeting hygiene standards, making it a popular choice for hospitals focused on both sanitation and noise control.

Sound masking systems. Sound masking systems in hospitals emit a low-level, consistent background noise that helps to minimize the impact of disruptive sounds such as alarms, conversations, or equipment noise. By raising the ambient sound level in a controlled way, these systems make sudden noises less perceptible, improving the overall acoustic environment. Additionally, sound masking can enhance privacy, making it a valuable tool for HIPAA and PIPEDA compliance by reducing the likelihood of conversations being overheard in sensitive areas like patient rooms and nurse stations. This balance of noise control and privacy makes sound masking an important acoustic strategy in healthcare settings.

Full height barriers. For critical spaces, walls can be built to extend all the way to the structural deck above, rather than stopping at the ceiling. This helps to prevent noise from traveling over the walls through shared plenum spaces, which can significantly reduce the transmission of noise from adjacent rooms, hallways, and high-traffic areas, enhancing privacy and reducing disturbances for patients. This design also contributes to better control of  infection prevention, as the air and sound are less likely to circulate between rooms.

Relocation of in-room alarms.  To reduce noise in patient rooms, hospitals can relocate non-critical alarms to the nurses’ station instead of allowing them to sound directly in the room. A 2013 Joint Commission report estimated that 85% – 99% of all hospital alarm notifications do not require a clinical intervention. By centralizing alarms, essential alerts can still be monitored closely by staff, while minimizing disruptions for patients. This strategy reduces the constant beeping and alarming sounds that can interfere with patient rest and recovery, while ensuring that critical alarms remain audible where they are most needed.

HVAC sound dampening. While internal duct lining is not an option, hospitals can still apply other sound-dampening solutions to their HVAC systems. This can include using packless silencers or selecting quieter air handlers to minimize source noise from mechanical systems. Additionally, stiffer gauge ducts or mass loaded vinyl wraps can be used to assist in controlling break-out noise from the large ductwork.

Implementing a combination of these strategies can significantly improve the acoustic environment in hospitals, reducing noise levels while ensuring that the facility remains functional and safe.

Demountable partitions in hospitals: more than just sound ratings

Demountable partitions offer hospitals flexibility in space management while adapting to evolving healthcare needs, but effective sound isolation requires more than just high Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings. Even with STC ratings above 45, gaps between panel sections and to the fixed construction combined with a lightweight ceiling system can allow airborne noise to bypass partitions.

For optimal noise control, partitions should extend to the structural deck, though this approach is more costly than ceiling-height installations. Hospitals should evaluate whether full-height partitions are necessary in areas where privacy is a priority, balancing costs with acoustic performance. Additionally, regular maintenance of seals and gaskets is essential to prevent wear and maintain effective sound isolation.

How Salas O’Brien can help with sound isolation and noise control in hospitals

Salas O’Brien’s acoustic team partners with hospitals to address common noise issues, as well as unique challenges. Whether it’s improving sound isolation for patient rooms or managing mechanical noise, our team offers tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of healthcare environments.

Beyond routine noise control, we tackle more specialized concerns, such as predicting the impact of a helipad on a planned NICU, designing sleep rooms for on-call staff, and assessing construction noise during sensitive operations. (We’ve even helped an in-patient mental health facility navigate local noise ordinances for a death metal concert planned next door.)

Our consultants understand the complex needs of hospitals, from ensuring patient privacy and comfort to complying with regulations, and we’re here to provide innovative, practical solutions that improve the hospital experience for both patients and staff. Reach out to one of our contributors below.

For media inquiries on this article, reach out to Stacy Lake, Director of Corporate Communications