The experience of noise in communication-intense workplaces: A qualitative study

The study investigates how employees in communication-intensive workplaces, such as healthcare services and kindergartens, experience the sound environment they work in. The study also aims to identify factors that may help in the work of creating tailored measures.

The study shows that employees in communication-intensive workplaces experience a clear correlation between an unfavourable sound environment and adverse health effects. Despite this, improving the sound environment was not prioritised by the management team. The study highlights that the high motivation among employees for change should be leveraged, and increased focus from management is necessary to develop innovative and context-dependent improvements. The results were further discussed and transformed into tailored interventions for the different workplaces.

The sample consisted of participants with relevant experience from communication-intensive workplaces and work-related noise in Sweden. There were a total of 16 participants. 6 kindergarten teachers and one kindergarten coordinator participated from two kindergartens under the same management in a small town. In addition, 3 midwives and a manager from a maternity ward at a hospital in a major city participated. 3 nurses and 2 managers also participated from an intensive care unit at a hospital in a medium to large city. The data were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews. The managers were interviewed individually. All interviews were conducted at the participants’ workplaces and audio recorded.

Gyllensten, K., Fredriksson, S., Widen, S., & Persson Waye, K. (2023). The experience of noise in communication-intense workplaces: A qualitative study. PLoS One, 18(1), e0280241.