Soundscapes in healthcare The soundscape directly affects the well-being of both patients and staff. Several studies have shown that soundscapes can reduce the stress experienced by patients, speed up their recovery and also improve the concentration of staff. Therefore, soundscapes are one of the most effective ways to improve the healthcare service environment – cost-effectively.
What is sound landscaping?
Soundscape refers to the controlled design of the acoustic environment of a space to create a desired atmosphere, state of mind and effect. A soundscape can include, for example, background music, natural sounds and other sound elements that create a sound environment that is appropriate for the space and atmosphere. With speakers that are suitable for their purpose and the right kind of soundscape, a whole is created that supports the needs of both clients and care staff. The key goal is to create a calm, pleasant and functional sound environment that promotes concentration, relaxation and privacy.
Benefits of sound landscaping:
- Customer experience improves
Sound is an effective way to leave memories and influence emotions. Sound landscaping that is appropriate for the space improves the overall service experience.
- Increased work comfort
Soundscapes and masking noises can enhance the work atmosphere, dampen other environmental sounds and thus improve work peace.
- Create a calming atmosphere: Appropriate soundscaping masks unwanted background noise, replaces silence with soothing sounds, and creates a peaceful, welcoming environment.
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Why is sound landscaping important in waiting rooms?
When designing healthcare facilities, the colors, surfaces, and shapes used in the space are often precisely defined, but the soundscape of the space is only clear once the space is ready and in use. Sound is not a physical element, but an invisible factor that affects the experience of space. For this reason, sound is often not taken into account in visual representations or space plans. Most medical clinics, hospitals, and health centers are open spaces where sound control is challenging. The echo of the spaces, conversations between staff and customers, and the sounds of various devices can create a sound environment that is not conducive to calming down or concentrating.
Various studies have found that music can have a positive effect on blood pressure, breathing, and even muscle tension. When calm music is played in customer spaces, the blood pressure of those waiting decreases, the mind relaxes, and anxiety decreases.
Sound landscaping in healthcare can help:
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Nature sounds and soft background noises can help patients relax by lowering heart rate and cortisol levels.
- Improve privacy: properly designed, space-appropriate sound landscaping and masking sounds obscure sensitive conversations and improve patient privacy.
- Increase staff efficiency: When the ambient soundscape is controlled, healthcare professionals can focus better on their work and avoid fatigue.
Read also: Data protection audio ensures privacy in service environments »
Background music and a soundscape suitable for the space in healthcare waiting rooms have therefore been studied as effective ways to reduce the anxiety and fear experienced by waiting customers.
In an unstimulating waiting room, for example, a patient with dental phobia experiences a longer waiting time, which leaves more time and space for anxious thoughts. In such a situation, the right kind of background music helps the patient before an exciting procedure, and studies have shown that it can even reduce the pain experienced. Given that up to half of Finns suffer from some degree of dental phobia, sound landscaping in the waiting room or procedure room could significantly improve the treatment experience and increase customer satisfaction by creating a calming feeling for the customer.
Sound landscaping implementation
Sound landscaping in healthcare is implemented using a variety of solutions depending on the needs of the space. Key elements include:
- Right Sound Equipment
- Directional speakers and sound controls can be strategically positioned to deliver desired audio to specific areas, allowing customized soundscaping creation in waiting areas, including specialized solutions for professional healthcare facilities.
- With smart controls, soundscaping or background music can be distributed across wide areas, such as entrance halls, for consistent acoustic experiences throughout facilities.
- Speech-Masking Sounds and Noise Reduction
- Privacy Audio and Masking Sounds: Privacy audio and masking sounds help prevent private patient conversations from being overheard, ensuring confidentiality and peace of mind for patients and healthcare professionals.
- Soft background sounds can effectively mask unwanted noise in healthcare facilities and provide a more comfortable setting.
- Natural Sounds and Calming Environment: Nature-inspired soundscapes and ambient backgrounds foster healing, reduce patient stress, and promote positive psychological responses in healthcare settings.
- For example, in waiting areas, calming background sounds create a composed acoustic environment that helps patients feel valued and secure, reduces patient anxiety and stress, and improves patient satisfaction and loyalty.
- Professional and welcoming impression: Appropriate soundscaping in waiting areas creates a professional impression and demonstrates that the organization values both patient and staff well-being.
Read more about how privacy audio and masking sounds work »
Summary
For healthcare service providers, sound landscaping is not just about investing in customer comfort, but also has an impact on the overall customer experience, better brand image and even financial benefits. Sound landscaping is one of the most effective ways to improve the healthcare service environment. A calm sound environment has been studied to increase staff efficiency by improving their ability to concentrate. It also supports the implementation of privacy protection, reduces stress and improves the well-being of customers. When a sound landscape is designed correctly, it can support the well-being and efficiency of both patients and professionals. What kind of experience do you want to leave customers with during their visit?
The soundscapes implemented by FirstView are based on the latest health science and psychoacoustic research. The sound elements in the landscapes are designed to lower the listener’s heart rate, blood pressure, reduce the secretion of stress hormones and alleviate symptoms of anxiety. The soundscapes in the waiting rooms consist of calming sounds of nature and the environment as well as musical elements. The soundscape is always tailored to the space to support the use of the space. In addition to calming, sound landscaping improves customer privacy in open spaces.
Do you want to make your waiting areas more comfortable? Contact our experts – we will design a soundscape that suits your space, making it more comfortable and positively impacting your customers’ experience.
Sources:
A Systematic Review of Nature Elements and Their Effects on Worker Stress Response, Department of Social Psychology, University of Málaga, 2023
The Effect of Sound in the Dental Office: Practices and Recommendations for Quality Assurance. M. Antoniadou, P. Tziovara, C. Antoniadou, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2022.
5 Ways Music Improves Our Health, Huffington Post, Julkaistu 2/2015
Music and Soundscaping Applications. M. Eskola, K. Hentikka, KAMk 20245 Ways Music Improves Our Health, Huffigton Post. Julkaistu 2/2015.
Musiikki – lääkkeetön kivunhoitomenetelmä. M. Eskola, K. Hintikka, KAMK 2024
