• Charlene Krueger, Susan Wall, Leslie Parker, and Rose Nealis.
• College of Nursing, University of Florida, Health Science Center, Gainesville 32610-0187, USA. ckrueger@nursing.ufl.edu
• Neonatal Netw. 2005 Nov 1;24(6):33-7.

PurposeElevated sound levels in the NICU may contribute to undesirable physiologic and behavioral effects in preterm infants. This study describes sound levels in a busy NICU in the southeastern U.S. and compares the findings with recommended NICU noise level standards.DesignNICU sound levels were recorded continuously at nine different locations within the NICU. Hourly measurements of loudness equivalent (Leq) sound level, sound level exceeded 10 percent of the time (L10), and maximum sound level (Lmax) were determined.SampleSound levels were sampled from nine different locations within the NICU.Main Outcome VariableSound levels are described using the hourly, A-weighted Leq, L10, and Lmax.ResultsThe overall average hourly Leq (M = 60.44 dB, range = 55-68 dB), L10 (M = 59.26 dB, range = 55-66 dB), and Lmax (M = 78.39, range = 69-93 dB) were often above the recommended sound levels (hourly Leq <50 dB, L10 <55 dB, and 1-second Lmax <70 dB). In addition, certain times of day, such as 6-7 AM and 10 AM-12 noon, were noisier than other times of day.

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