The Effectiveness of Noise Reduction Interventions in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A review Article

Background:  High noises in the NICU are known to have negative effects on the health and wellness of hospitalized preterm infants. Various technologies for the care of preterm infants, extensive therapeutic interventions and communication between staff are among the causes of loud noise in these wards. The aim of this review article is to evaluate the effectiveness of noise reduction interventions in neonatal intensive care units. Methods: A literature search was conducted from 2012 to 2020 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SID IRANDOC, and MAGIRAN databases. Keywords used were: preterm infant, noise, and neonatal intensive care unit. Interventional, quasi-experimental papers were included. A total of 26 articles were analyzed and the review covered noise levels, effects of noise enhancement, and noise reduction interventions. The exclusion criteria were: duplicate printings; non English/Persian language; editorials, letters, patents, errata, meeting abstracts and conference papers. PRISMA methodology was followed to perform the review. Results: The results showed that the sound levels in the NICU were more than the WHO standard. The study articles were mentioned the personnel training as an effective intervention in noise reduction. But even with the training, there were very few changes in the sound levels. The noise level had been reduced to 3-4 dB, and even increased in some cases due to the impossibility of changing the structure of the neonatal intensive care unit and changing the existing devices. Conclusion: Education is the most effective way to reduce noise. To make noise reduction possible, personnel training is essential as the first step. Sound levels must be measured to control the volume. NICUs should be designed as separate beds and acoustic incubators should be used.