Noise effects, analysis and control in hospitals - A review

Noise pollution is a growing problem in hospitals. Noise is a common complaint among hospital staff, patients, and their families in hospitals. Research shows the negative impact of noise on patients. The common effects of noise on patients and staffs in hospitals are annoyance, irritation, high blood pressure, stress, poor mental health, and fatigue. But peoples are unaware about these effects. There are different noise sources in the hospitals e.g., medical equipment, talking of patient’s family members, staff conversation, opening-closing doors etc. There is need to control the noise level in the hospitals from the above noise sources. In this review paper, the noise effects on patients, noise sources in hospitals and noise controlling strategies are summarised and discussed. The aim of this review work is to increase the awareness about the noise effects on human health and show the actual condition of the hospital noise. Further, to increase the researcher’s curiosity to do in-depth research on noise pollution and control in hospitals.