Effects of two non-invasive continuous positive pressure devices on the acoustic environment of preterm infants

Abstract Background Two non-invasive ventilation strategies, Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (Bubble CPAP) and standard nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nasal-CPAP), are commonly used to treat preterm infants in the NICU, differentially impacting their auditory environment and contributing to noise exposure above recommended safe levels. Aim To compare differences in sound exposure for preterm infants receiving two types of non-invasive CPAP. Method Prospective observational study of 108 preterm infants, receiving either Bubble-CPAP or nasal-CPAP, using repeated measures of sound exposure in single-patient rooms and semi-private bays. Results Analyses with repeated measures demonstrated that both types of CPAP increase noise levels above the background of the NICU, and that non-invasive nasal-CPAP produces higher noise pollution compared to Bubble CPAP, regardless of the room type. Conclusion While CPAP is a necessary treatment for many preterm infants, cumulative noise exposure in extremely preterm infants may also be a care consideration.