Acoustic barriers are found in a number of healthcare settings and research can attest to the positive impact that noise reduction has on patient outcomes. But what are acoustic barriers and are they right for you?
We’re going to take a look at what these barriers can do and how they may be beneficial for you in a healthcare setting. Take a look below to find out more.
Acoustic Barriers: What Are They and How Do They Work?
An acoustic barrier is as it sounds; a barrier to noise. They can be made with many materials, but most have a core of composite or PVC. This core is used to block sound waves and controls reverberations in the environment to stop noise from leaving a space.
You can find acoustic barriers in lots of places, but they’re most commonly seen at construction sites to limit disruption to neighbours. However, more and more research has been conducted into patient recovery times and how noise may have an impact on how well patients feel and how quickly they get better.
Noise and Healthcare Settings
Hospitals are busy environments. Even on an evening and through the night, people are moving around which can be disruptive to sleep, patient recovery, and more.
Lots of noise can have an adverse effect on patients recovering from surgery, accidents, and major illnesses. In fact, it may affect pain sensitivity, blood pressure, and mental health. This means that the more noise a patient is exposed to, the more likely they are to feel worse.
In addition, noisy environments can cause miscommunications and limit efficacy of communication between patients, doctors, and nurses.
Soundproofing and other acoustic treatments have been found to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing in many areas, including offices and workspaces. So, it follows that this improvement may be seen in hospitals too.
If you work in healthcare and are considering acoustic treatment, acoustic barriers are a great option for limiting noise and reducing patient stress.
Benefits of Acoustic Barriers
Acoustic barriers have many benefits, which is why they’re so popular. Below, we have summarized how acoustic barriers could benefit you.
Better Acoustics
Acoustic barriers both block out unwanted noise and control reverberations, which means that acoustics within the space are clearer. This can help to improve communication in healthcare settings, ensuring patients can clearly hear and understand their doctor’s advice.
Reduces Stress
Acoustic barriers limit annoying and loud noises, helping to reduce stress levels in both patients and staff. Reduced stress in patients can improve their recovery times, and less stressed-out staff means better mental health and better overall care.
Make the Environment More Welcoming
A peaceful environment is much more welcoming in a space where people are looking to improve their health and recover. For a hospital or healthcare setting, it can be off-putting if the environment is chaotic and noisy. Acoustic barriers can resolve this issue for you.
Improve Productivity
Noises can be very distracting for staff but reducing distractions can help to improve their productivity. In a healthcare environment, this can mean overall better care for patients and an improvement in patient outcomes.
Final Thoughts: Acoustic Barriers in Healthcare
Reducing noise and distractions in healthcare settings can improve communication and help to improve patient outcomes, boosting recovery time and the overall wellbeing of patients. They reduce outside noise, make a more welcoming environment, and help to reduce stress in both staff and patients.
If you’re looking for durable and high-quality acoustic barriers, get in touch with Echo Barrier to find out more about their extensive range.
