Perhaps the most demanding acoustical space in the built environment is the healthcare facility. Acoustics are concerned not only with the quality of sound, but speech privacy, patient healing, and staff comfort. This acoustical challenge is met in a variety of ways, including sound-sensitive space layout and inclusion of private areas for the most confidential conversations. But the presence of numerous open spaces in healthcare facilities, especially areas invoking the legal protections of HIPAA, calls for something extra: electronic sound masking, adjusted to preserve privacy and avoid distractingly quiet “dead” spaces. In this article, consultant specialists offer guidance on appropriate selection and installation of these systems.
Engineer
Gregory C. Tocci
Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Inc., Sudbury, Massachusetts
What exactly is sound masking? What does it do?
Sound masking provides a low-level, continuous electronic broadband sound. Sometimes called “white sound” or “pink sound,” it resembles the sound of an FM radio tuned between stations—a sort of low growl but barely perceptible. When properly balanced it sounds like air flow from a diffuser. Whether it is actually perceived or not depends on the sound environment and the level at which sound masking is set—usually at 48 dBA or lower. I remember setting up a tuned masking system in an office one evening and finding I was more easily able to hear it than I anticipated, only to come in the next morning and thinking it had shut down. However, it was still on. It was much less noticeable because the office was occupied and had the usual sounds of a busy, occupied office. But sound masking has been shown to be highly effective in protecting speech privacy and masking disturbing sounds or noises, especially by filling in those quieter interludes between noisy activities.
What is its role in maintaining HIPAA-compliant speech privacy?
