Sound as a supportive design intervention for improving health care experience in the clinical ecosystem: A qualitative study

Most prior hospital noise research usually deals with sound in its noise facet and is based merely on sound level abatement, rather than as an informative or orientational element. This paper stimulates scientific research into the effect of sound interventions on physical and mental health care in the clinical environment. Data sources comprised relevant World Health Organization guidelines and the results of a literature search of ISI Web of Science, ProQuest Central, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, JSTOR and Google Scholar. Noise induces stress and impedes the recovery process. Pleasant natural sound intervention which includes singing birds, gentle wind and ocean waves, revealed benefits that contribute to perceived restoration of attention and stress recovery in patients and staff. Clinicians should consider pleasant natural sounds perception as a low-risk non-pharmacological and unobtrusive intervention that should be implemented in their routine care for speedier recovery of patients undergoing medical procedures. •Noise induces stress, affects behaviour, sleep and impedes the recovery process.•Natural sounds are non-pharmacological interventions for improving stress recovery.•Nature-based sounds and music reduces pain intensity, anxiety and improves comfort.•Noise reduction and use of pleasant natural sounds can improve the healing process and save hospitals money.•How soundscape impact patients and staff behaviour requires further studies.