Covers both basic concepts of and theoretical methods for hospital acoustics

Provides specific, practical information that can be readily applied to solve real noise problems in the healthcare setting

Includes illustrative case studies detailing odd acoustic problems and unique solutions in hospitals

Serves as both a reference work for researchers and a study text for graduate students

This book explores acoustic effects in hospitals, with a particular focus on the critical care environment, where noise is a major problem, and addresses the resulting design issues as part of the optimisation of the overall physical environment. It describes the current acoustic conditions in hospital wards and corridors both theoretically and experimentally by combining a series of field measurements, interviews, questionnaire surveys and computer modelling. The characteristics of typical sound sources and sound fields, verified prediction models, the influence of staff and patient behaviour, and an agent-based acoustic design tool are introduced, helping readers to better understand this fascinating multidisciplinary field.