Auditory roughness: a delicate balance

Kendall J Burdick; Sean Yang; Andres E Lopez; Connor Wessel; Michael Schutz; Joseph J Schlesinger

doi:10.1016/j.bja.2023.07.003

Auditory roughness: a delicate balance

Br J Anaesth. 2023 Oct;131(4):649-652. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.07.003. Epub 2023 Aug 1.

Authors

Kendall J Burdick¹, Sean Yang², Andres E Lopez³, Connor Wessel³, Michael Schutz³, Joseph J Schlesinger⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: Kendall.burdick@childrens.harvard.edu.
² Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
³ McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

PMID: 37537119
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.07.003

Abstract

Auditory roughness in medical alarm sounds is an important design attribute, and has been shown to impact user performance and perception. While roughness can assist in decreased signal-to-noise ratios (perceived loudness) and communicate urgency, it might also impact patient recovery. Therefore, considerations of neuroscience correlates, music theory, and patient impact are critical aspects to investigate in order to optimise alarm design.

Keywords: alarm fatigue; auditory roughness; medical alarms; patient safety; urgency.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Clinical Alarms*
Humans
Monitoring, Physiologic
Sound*