Sound levels in nursing homes
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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

An Automated System for Sound Localization Testing in Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Published on: March 13, 2026
1University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Nursing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210-0413, USA. lljoosse@uwm.edu
Abstract:
Noise in nursing homes remains problematic despite attempts to create homelike environments. The purpose of this study was to examine nursing home sound levels. Eight nursing units in four not-for-profit nursing homes were studied. The findings of this study show sound levels ranged from 24 to 89.6 dBA, with averages of 52.91 to 59.46 dBA. Twenty-six percent of the sound was created by staff talking, while only 3% was directed at or included the residents. Findings suggest mealtime has the potential to create louder sounds, and staff talking may contribute significantly to overall sound levels.
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