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Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
NICU noise and the preterm infant
1National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. gemb@fsmail.net
Insights
Noise in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) negatively impacts premature infant development and health. Reducing NICU noise can improve infant stability and brain development potential.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) present a noisy environment for premature infants.
- Excessive noise exposure is linked to adverse physiological responses and developmental risks in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the detrimental effects of noise on preterm infant development.
- To propose strategies for noise reduction in the NICU.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on noise exposure and its effects on preterm infants.
- Identification of common noise sources within the NICU environment.
Main Results:
- Continuous loud noise in NICUs can cause apnea, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation fluctuations.
- Prolonged noise exposure increases risks for hearing loss, abnormal brain development, and speech/language issues.
Conclusions:
- Decreasing NICU noise levels can enhance physiological stability in neonates.
- Implementing noise-reduction strategies supports improved infant brain development.
- Recommendations include incubator covers, equipment management, quiet hours, and staff education.
Abstract:
Premature infants in the NICU are often exposed to continuous loud noise despite research documenting the presence and damaging effects of noise on the preterm infant's development. Excessive auditory stimulation creates negative physiologic responses such as apnea and fluctuations in heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. Preterm infants exposed to prolonged excessive noise are also at increased risk for hearing loss, abnormal brain and sensory development, and speech and language problems. Reducing noise levels in the NICU can improve the physiologic stability of sick neonates and therefore enlarge the potential for infant brain development. Recommendations include covering incubators with blankets, removing noisy equipment from the incubator environment, implementing a quiet hour, educating staff to raise awareness, and encouraging staff to limit conversation near infants.
