Noise measurements during high-frequency oscillatory and conventional mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the noise levels with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and conventional mechanical ventilation.

Design: An observational, prospective study.

Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit.

Subjects: The caretakers and environment of the pediatric intensive care unit.

Interventions: High-frequency oscillatory and conventional mechanical ventilation.

Measurements and main results: Caretakers evaluated noise using a visual analog scale. Noise was measured with a decibel meter and an octave band frequency filter. There was twice as much noise perceived by the caretakers and as measured on the decibel A scale. All measures showed significantly greater noise, especially at low frequencies, with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.

Conclusions: High-frequency oscillatory ventilation exposes the patient to twice as much noise as does the use of conventional mechanical ventilation.