Neonatal network : NN
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Elevated 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. ⋯ The 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.