4. Discussion
Table 3 shows a comparative overview of noise pollution monitoring and reported non-auditory health impacts in hospital settings. Based on Table 3, it can be concluded that sound levels in hospitals have always been found above the recommended levels, and ranges from 45 dB to above 120 dB. Similarly, the current work also observed noise levels well above the permissible standards at all the locations in and around a tertiary hospital. Further, movement of vehicles (traffic) was considered as the major source of noise.
Regarding non-auditory health impacts of noise, respondents reported irritation, headache and loss of sleep due to increased noise levels. Hospital noise can pose problems for patient safety and recovery. Further, it may also contribute to stress and burnout among hospital workers. Grumet (1993) reported a significant correlation between increasing noise levels and increased length of stay and considered noise control in a hospital a high priority. The Leq in the current work exceed the recommended WHO guidelines at all the monitoring sities. The Leq was also found similar to sound levels observed in other healthcare settings as depicted in Table 3. Many of these studies have reported peak hospital noise levels exceeding 85–90 dB. Hospitals are noisy