The design and construction of a new hospital is a major undertaking. In addition to ensuring that the building is large enough to meet patient needs, designers must take into consideration the acoustical properties of their design.

The acoustic attributes of a hospital can have a direct impact on health and well-being, as well as the quality of communication between staff members.

Bringing acoustical engineer consulting into the design process early can help you address many of the major acoustical challenges found in hospital settings.

1. Sound Isolation

Sound isolation is a critical component in hospital design. A lot of private information is exchanged within hospitals, and hospital staff must ensure that they are maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.

An acoustical engineer can help create patient exam rooms as well as recovery rooms that have the ability to isolate sound. This will prevent any confidential information from being overheard by patients and guests in the areas adjacent to these rooms.

2. Sound Travel in Common Areas

The last thing friends and family members want is to contend with a noisy waiting room while their loved one is receiving treatment. Limiting how far sound can travel in common areas of a hospital is critical during the design phase of construction.

Acoustical engineers commonly use sound-absorbing materials in the ceiling of common areas, as well as sound masking systems to help limit the travel range of sound.

Without the expertise of an acoustical engineer, the quietness of hospital common areas would be significantly compromised.

3. Separation for Noisy Equipment

A lot of high-tech pieces of equipment can be found in a hospital setting. Many of these machines produce a lot of noise when they are in operation.

It's imperative that the initial design of a hospital takes into account the need for separation between these noisy machines and areas where patients and guests are located. Acoustical engineers are able to incorporate sound-absorbing materials into the construction plan that will help isolate noise from medical machinery.

Without these design considerations, the sounds created during diagnostic testing could interfere with the quality of care patients receive in the hospital after construction.

The construction process requires attention to more than just building codes and materials. The design of a hospital construction project should also address acoustical problems that might interfere with the efficiency and privacy of the hospital once patients start walking through the doors.