Measuring peak daytime noise levels at outpatient and inpatient departments in a medical college and noise related complaints in personnel posted in these departments

Skip to main Communities My dashboard Log in Sign up ESRF Research Journal for Undergraduate Medical Students. Published April 18, 2026 | Version v1 Journal article Open Measuring peak daytime noise levels at outpatient and inpatient departments in a medical college and noise related complaints in personnel posted in these departments Authors/Creators Saha, Sayam 1 Khan, Sabuj Sundar 1 Banerjee, Shreya 1 Ghosh, Saptarshi 1 Rathod, Rishita 1 Panja, Saumik 1 Koomar, Sharon H 1 Maji, Shreya 1 Chakraborty, Sharanya 1 Saha, Sathi 1 et al. Show all 16 authors Authors/Creators 16 / 16 Saha, Sayam 1 Khan, Sabuj Sundar 1 Banerjee, Shreya 1 Ghosh, Saptarshi 1 Rathod, Rishita 1 Panja, Saumik 1 Koomar, Sharon H 1 Maji, Shreya 1 Chakraborty, Sharanya 1 Saha, Sathi 1 Sengupta, Rounak 1 Kundu, Sambit 1 Laha, Sagnik 1 Mandal, Saptarshi 1 Banerjee, Niladri (Contact person) 1 Mukherjee, Abhijit 1 1. Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital Close Description Abstract Introduction: In a sensitive environment like a healthcare facility, acoustic comfort is not merely a luxury but a clinical necessity. Noise induces annoyance and increases the probability of medical errors.  To devise effective reduction strategies and optimize workforce deployment, site-specific data is essential. Objectives: To find out the level of noise in different areas of NRS Medical College during a pre-specified time interval of a working day, the noise sensitivity of posted staff and noise-related health problems among them. Methods: It was an observational descriptive study in cross sectional design done in Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and hospital during 24th February 2025 to 5th March 2025. A total enumeration of different hospital areas was performed and areas with restricted entry like operation theatres were excluded. The Noise Tracker app was used to record average sound levels of continuous 5 mins (at 11 am & 12 pm). Staff posted at respective areas were selected purposively and consenting participants were interviewed with a predesigned schedule containing questions regarding background characteristics, presence of perceived noise-related health problems and Noise Sensitivity. Comparison between categorical variables between groups was done using Chi-square tests. The study was undertaken following proper approvals and oral informed consent. Results: The OPD areas show a median noise level of 71 dB (Range: 60 dB - 80 dB). The IPD areas exhibit a median of ~63 dB (52 dB - 74 dB). More than half (55.6% at 11am & 69.4% at 12 noon) of the wards were above recommended noise level of 65dB at both time points. The commonest age group among participants was 20-30 years (40.4%), 66% were females, 51.1% were staff nurses. Self-reported headaches were slightly higher in participants exposed to less noisy areas and annoyance showed no significant association with noise. Median noise sensitivity score of staff was 17 (15-20). A significant number of staff with high noise sensitivity were posted at relatively noisy wards. Conclusion: The findings of the present study emphasize the need for routine noise monitoring, administrative regulation, and low-cost preventive interventions to improve the acoustic environment of hospitals. Files OA1.pdf Files (927.0 kB) Name Size Download all OA1.pdf md5:1eb1fbd7ba3fe72dff45d32a7f43bc30 927.0 kB Preview Download Additional details References Seidman MD, Standring RT. Noise and quality of life. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2010 Oct;7(10):3730-8. doi: 10.3390/ijerph7103730. Jarosińska D, Héroux MÈ, Wilkhu P, Creswick J, Verbeek J, Wothge J, Paunović E. Development of the WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: An Introduction. 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Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol. 2007;73(2):187–191. 217 Views 43 Downloads Show more details All versions This version Views Total views 217 217 Downloads Total downloads 43 43 Data volume Total data volume 42.6 MB 42.6 MB More info on how stats are collected.... Versions External resources Indexed in OpenAIRE Communities Keywords and subjects Keywords Noise sensitivity NRS Medical College Kolkata GEMET Noise level Details DOI DOI Badge DOI 10.5281/zenodo.19632384 Markdown [](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19632384) reStructuredText .. image:: https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.19632384.svg :target: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19632384 HTML <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19632384"><img src="https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.19632384.svg" alt="DOI"></a> Image URL https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.19632384.svg Target URL https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19632384 Resource type Journal article Publisher The Eureka Scientech Research Foundation Published in ESRF Research Journal for Undergraduate Medical Students, 3(2), 3-8, ISSN: 3049-3897, 2026. Languages English Rights License Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International No further description. 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