Alarm fatigue in the perception of medical soundscapes

Abstract

This paper sketches out the rationale behind our plans to gather empirical data in investigating the problems associated with “alarm fatigue”. Whereas most approaches to alarm fatigue focus solely on reducing the number of alarms, based on a premise of inferred causality, we envision a methodological approach which allows for a positive description of the manifold of problems associated with alarm fatigue based on evidence-based knowledge of both the subjective and the objective sound environment. This leads us, first, to deconstruct the alarm fatigue hypothesis and show its shortcomings. Secondly, we present the possibilities that our method of data collection will have for understanding both the issues concerned with alarm fatigue, and those connected with the current soundscape of alarm-rich environments. !!