Decibel levels inside and outside incubators in the NICU of a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Pathogenic noises produced in the NICU are capable of causing early damage to the cochlea and hair cells. Premature patients are the most vulnerable due to immaturity. Reducing sound levels in the NICU remains a problem.

Objective: To determine decibel levels inside vs. outside the incubator, before and after touching with the fingers, in the NICU of a tertiary hospital.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional prospective analytical experimental study was carried out. The study consisted of measuring the decibels inside and outside the incubator, before and after touching with the fingers, the decibel levels between the three shifts were also compared.

Results: When comparing the total average decibels inside the incubator before playing, we found a total average of 61.9 ± 3.4 and after

playing 66 ± 3.5, being statistically significant (p <0.001). When comparing the total averages of decibels outside the incubator before playing, there was a total average of 63.9 ± 3.5 and after playing 67.9 ± 3.6, being statistically significant (p <0.001).

Conclusions: We found in our study that the decibels are above what is recommended. Hearing is essential not only for normal language development, it is also important for the development of attention and perception. Necessary measures must be used in our NICU to provide minimum noise to our patients.