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