Sound design as a therapeutic tool in pediatric hospitals: an auditory alternative

Abstract

The objective is to investigate how carefully designed auditory stimuli—such as soundscapes, soft melodies, or interactive sounds—can create more friendly and emotionally safe environments for hospitalized pediatric patients. This is because noise pollution in hospitals, which refers to excessive sound that disrupts normal work conditions—in this case, hospital stays—can cause health problems, such as stress, headaches, anxiety, sleep disorders, and others. This topic is studied because it is believed that design should focus not only on aesthetics but also on functionality and humanity. In pediatric hospitals, many patients experience fear, anxiety, insomnia, and stress during their treatments. Using sound as a therapeutic channel can transform their hospital stay, helping them navigate their medical processes with greater emotional well-being. It's a way to contribute through digital and sound design to a cause with a high social and emotional impact. This work seeks to suggest alternatives from the perspective of sound design and qualitative data from real patients and their companions, transforming the system into a real, useful, and beyond-the-box therapeutic resource. Its goal is to be applied in hospital settings and serve as a basis for future research and development in the field of design applied to children's health.