Acoustic Design for Hospitals and Healtcare Facilities

 

New acoustic building products are helping architects and builders to incorporate sound management into building design. For all kinds of buildings, from schools and hospitals to concert halls and restaurants, soundproofing and interior sound quality can be an important consideration. Acoustic ceiling tiles, wall panels and accent clouds can help reduce exposure to harmful noise. In hospitals and healthcare facilities, acoustic design can help to promote recovery and healing.

Noise can be detrimental to health
Noise has an adverse impact on health and healing. This could be loud noises or even continuous background community noise. Community noise is defined by the World Health Organization as noise pollution caused by sources other than industrial workplaces. These could include road, rail and air traffic, industries, construction and public work, and neighborhood noise.
Studies have found that community noise can produce adverse health effects like cardiovascular problems and learning deficits. Researchers have found that the incidence of heart disease increases when community noise levels are higher than 40 decibels (dB). Exposure to loud sounds over 85 Decibels for a prolonged period creates a risk of hearing loss.

Acoustic design for healing spaces
New acoustic building products like ceiling clouds, decorative laminates and marlite interior walls are transforming the ways that architects, designers and builders can incorporate soundproofing into architecture. For both residential and public buildings, soundproofing can be be essential for a healthy, productive life.
As noted above, researchers have found that noise is detrimental to health. The reverse is also true, and a quiet and calm environment can be conducive to healing and recovery. For hospitals and healthcare facilities, , the use of materials like soundproofing walls and suspended ceilings can block out disturbing loud sounds.

Soundproofing in hospitals and healthcare facilities
In patient area and recovery rooms, soundproofing through the use of acoustic ceiling tiles and walls panels can actually speed up and improve the quality of recovery. In waiting areas for patients and their families, soundproofing materials can be used to create quiet areas where people can relax and talk while waiting for treatment or news.

In general, four tactics are use to soundproof a room. These are adding mass, damping, decoupling and filling air gaps. Depending on the space, they can be used alone or in combination.

New building products like acoustic ceiling tiles and soundproofing panels can help create calm and healing environments.