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Healthcare Acoustics

Patient privacy, staff communication, and healing environments — acoustics affect all three.

Why Healthcare Acoustics Matter

Hospitals are loud. Alarms, overhead pages, equipment, conversations, rolling carts on hard floors — the noise level in many healthcare facilities exceeds recommended limits. Studies link hospital noise to slower patient recovery, increased medication errors, and staff burnout.

Beyond noise control, HIPAA requires speech privacy. A patient discussing their medical condition shouldn't be heard in the waiting room or the next exam room. That's a legal requirement, not just a nice-to-have.

Healthcare Acoustic Requirements

  • HIPAA speech privacy: Exam rooms, consultation rooms, and offices need walls that block speech transmission. STC 50+ minimum for most applications.
  • Infection control: Ceiling tiles in patient care areas must be cleanable and resistant to microbial growth. Products need to meet FGI Guidelines and CDC recommendations.
  • Noise reduction: The WHO recommends hospital background noise below 35 dB during the day and 30 dB at night. Most hospitals exceed 60 dB. High-NRC ceiling tiles help.
  • Speech intelligibility: Nurses stations, registration areas, and treatment rooms need clear speech. Too much echo makes communication difficult and leads to errors.

Products for Healthcare

  • T-bar ceiling with high-CAC tiles — Armstrong Total Acoustics (NRC 0.70, CAC 40) or equivalent. High CAC blocks sound through the plenum between rooms. Critical for exam rooms and offices.
  • Antimicrobial/cleanable tiles — Armstrong Health Zone, USG Frost, or CertainTeed Vinylrock. Smooth, scrubbable surfaces that meet infection control standards.
  • Soundproofing wall panels — For exam rooms, therapy rooms, and any space where HIPAA speech privacy is required.
  • Stretch wall panels — Waiting rooms and lobbies. Fabric options that meet fire and infection control requirements.
  • Metal ceilings — Surgery suites, clean rooms, and procedure rooms. Non-porous, washable, and non-combustible.

Typical Healthcare Projects

  • Hospital room and corridor ceilings (new construction and renovation)
  • Medical office build-outs — exam rooms with HIPAA-compliant walls
  • Emergency department renovations
  • Surgery center clean rooms
  • Senior living and assisted living common areas
  • Dental and veterinary offices

Healthcare Acoustic Solutions by Product

Get a Quote

Healthcare projects have strict requirements. We know the codes, we know the products, and we know how to install them right. Contact us for a free estimate on your healthcare acoustics project.