An article previously published almost 2 decades ago
in MCN (Thomas, 1989) described sound levels in
the NICU. The purpose of the research presented in
this article was to replicate that study and contrast current
ambient sound levels in a Level III NICU with previous
findings. NICU caregivers are challenged by the need to reduce
sound levels while providing critical care to fragile,
high-risk infants. Sounds levels in the NICU are associated
with two general concerns: sound level volume and the developmental
appropriateness of the NICU auditory environment.