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Description
This pilot study aimed to explore the relationship between objective acoustic conditions, perceived soundscape quality, and short-term cognitive and physiological responses in hospital environments. Continuous sound measurements were conducted over seven consecutive days in the emergency department and intensive care unit of Ataşehir Medical Park Hospital using a Type 1 sound level meter (HD2010). Equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (LAeq) and maximum A-weighted levels (LAFmax) were recorded. Audio excerpts were selected using a stratified sampling approach across four daily time periods (morning, afternoon, evening, and night), capturing both typical and peak noise conditions. A total of ten nurses evaluated the selected recordings using perceived affective quality attributes based on ISO 12913, including pleasant, chaotic, eventful, and calm, rated on a Likert scale. To assess short-term cognitive and stress-related responses, participants completed a Stroop task and rated their perceived stress before and after exposure to each audio excerpt. In addition, physiological responses were monitored through heart rate measurements to provide an objective indicator of autonomic arousal associated with stress. Preliminary analyses indicated higher LAeq and LAFmax levels in the emergency department compared to the intensive care unit. These elevated sound levels are anticipated to be associated with higher ratings of “eventful” and “chaotic” and lower ratings of “calm” and “pleasant.” Exposure to more negatively perceived soundscapes is expected to correspond with increased self-reported stress, elevated heart rate, and reduced cognitive performance, reflected in longer reaction times and decreased accuracy on the Stroop task.