Sound decisions: Why acoustic privacy matters in healthcare environments
Patient areas are recommended to maintain a maximum acoustic threshold of 40 dBA.
(WHO; Facility Guidelines Institute)
Real-world hospital environments typically measure 50–70 dBA, well above recommended
(Frontiers in Psychology, 2020)
Noise levels in ICUs and operating rooms can exceed 80 dBA, comparable to a whistling kettle.
(Noise Health, 2025)
4% of ER patients reported withholding or changing medical information due to privacy concerns.
(Emergency Medicine Australasia, 2005; The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2008)
Inside this white paper
✓ Why acoustic privacy is essential to patient trust, communication, and care outcomes
✓ The hidden impact of hospital noise on patient recovery and caregiver well-being
✓ How cost pressures and flexible design are reducing opportunities for private conversations
✓ The emerging role of privacy pods as a scalable solution for patient, staff, and visitor needs
