Device Found to Reduce Noise in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
A team of researchers has found and have published in electronics magazine in India via simulated testing that their Neoasis active noise control device is able to reduce the noise level in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They have written a paper outlining their testing methods and results, and have uploaded it to the one of the open access site. Prior research has shown that noise in a NICU can have an adverse impact on incubated, prematurely delivered babies. Not only does it harm their sleep patterns, but it disrupts their eating patterns, often resulting in abnormal weight gain as disclosed by the electronics magazine in India . Efforts to reduce such noise, such as using lights instead of noisy alarms, or training staff to respond in different ways, have not proved effective. Nor has trying to fit tiny ear coverings on the preemies. In this new approach, the researchers have taken a different approach—attenuating the noise that is already in the room using a dev...