To evaluate noise-related communication barriers in the operating room and to identify strategies for overcoming them.
✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦
No immediate change to audiology practice is warranted, but audiologists advising occupational hearing conservation programs should note that OR noise is a documented communication barrier with potential patient-safety implications.
✦ Why It Matters ✦
Understanding how noise disrupts communication in surgical settings supports occupational hearing health programs and highlights a patient-safety dimension beyond simple noise-induced hearing loss.
✦ Key Points ✦
- 01OR noise creates significant communication barriers for surgical teams.
- 02Mixed-methods design combined surveys with qualitative data for richer insights.
