MIDWIVES can suffer hearing damage from the screams of women giving birth, according to research reported in Fagbladet.
It started with occupational hygienist Lars A. Saele being called to measure the noise level in the delivery ward at Ullevl Hospital in Oslo, Norway.
The measurements showed that screams from women giving birth exceeded 130 decibels.
"That is louder than a full-on rock band, and on par with the sound of a siren," Saele said.
On average, midwives and nurses in the delivery ward are exposed to 73 decibels of noise during a shift.
Researcher and acoustician Tron Vedul Tronstad has no doubt that the noise levels measured in the maternity ward at Ullevl Hospital can cause hearing damage.
"Being exposed to an average of 73 decibels throughout the working day is high but should be possible to tolerate if you get rest afterward.
"However, if you are exposed to 120 and 130 decibels, there is an immediate risk of harm," Tronstad said.
"Earplugs will reduce the loudest sounds to a level where the risk of immediate harm is not as high."
Rest can also help because of the total load counts, and sound is less harmful if exposure is divided, explained Tronstad.
The survey was conducted with two midwives and nurses wearing sound monitors on their uniforms for 10 shifts.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 May 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 17 May 23
