Abstract
OBJECTIVE:To assess the transmission of sound into incubators as a function of talker position (i.e., standing or sitting), incubator port position (i.e., opened or closed), and center frequency (i.e., 125 to 10,000 Hz in one-third octave steps). The second objective was to estimate the audibility of the human voice inside the incubator.
STUDY DESIGN: Leq measures of signal transmission loss and motor noise were obtained from two incubators.
RESULTS:In general, signal transmission loss was greater for the standing-talker position, with front portholes closed, and for high-frequency spectra. Motor noise was greater with both front portholes closed and for lower-frequency spectra. The greatest signal delivery to an infant would be obtained when the speaker is sitting using a raised vocal effort while the incubator ports are opened.
CONCLUSION:Measured signal transmission loss and motor noise characteristics of two incubators suggest that only mid-frequency speech spectra would be audible to infants and only at a speech-to-noise ratio of approximately 5 to 10 dB with a raised vocal effort.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gerhardt KJ, Abrams RM Fetal exposures to sound and vibroacoustic stimulation J Perinatol 2000 20 s21–s30
DeCasper AJ, Lecanuet JP, Busnel MC, Granier-Deferre C, Maugeais C Fetal reactions to recurrent maternal speech Infant Behav Dev 1994 17 159–164
Hall JW III Development of the ear and hearing J Perinatol 2000 20 s12–s20
Abrams RM, Gerhardt KJ The acoustic environment and physiological responses of the fetus J Perinatol 2000 20 s31–s36
Pearsons K, Bennett R, Fidell S Speech levels in various noise environments. Document EPA-600/1-77-025 Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1977
Robertson A, Kohn J, Cooper-Peel C Establishing a noise measurement protocol for neonatal intensive care units J Perinatol 1998 18 126–130
Berens RJ, Weigle CGM Noise analysis of three newborn infant isolettes J Perinatol 1997 17 351–354
Robertson A, Cooper-Peel C, Vos P Sound transmission into incubators in the neonatal intensive care unit J Perinatol 1999 494–497
Anagnostakis D, Petmezakis J, Messaritakis J, Matsaniotis N Noise pollution in neonatal units: a potential health hazard Acta Paediatr Scand 1980 69 771–773
Blennow G, Svenningsen NW, Almquist B Noise levels in infant incubators (adverse effects?) Pediatrics 1974 53 29–32
Seleny F, Streczyn M Noise characteristics in the baby compartments of incubators Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1969 117 445–450
Gerhardt KJ, Abrams RM Fetal hearing: characterization of the stimulus and response Sem Perinatol 1996 20 11–19
Philbin MK, Robertson A, Hall JW III Recommended permissible noise criteria for occupied, newly constructed or renovated hospital nurseries J Perinatol 1999 19 559–563
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Paper presented, in part, at the 2000 American Speech–Language–Hearing Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC, November 18, 2000.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Robertson, A., Stuart, A. & Walker, L. Transmission Loss of Sound Into Incubators: Implications for Voice Perception by Infants. J Perinatol 21, 236–241 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210531
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210531
