The Importance of Noise Attenuation Levels in Neonatal Incubators

Background: It is known that high noise levels can be harmful to preterm infants, causing physiological and psychological disorders. also premature babies spend a lot of time in an incubator. In this sense, many studies show incubator range from 45 70 dB. However, these differences depend, fundamentally, on the wide methodology used. This study aims know fan itself how much it isolate noises coming outside. Methods: For purpose, three incubators were measured within sound-dampened booth for free-field audiometry. emission acoustic energy, pink generator was used; likewise, two microphones placed, one inside cabin other outside, determine insulation tested incubators. Results: The produced equivalent continuous sound pressure between 53.5 58 Acoustic analysis showed varied another, 5.2 10.4 Conclusions: necessary improve reduce motor fan. On hand, although are meeting criteria set out IEC60601-2-19: 2009 standard 60 dBA, under normal use conditions, they still far limit recommended by American Academy Pediatrics (45 dBA).