Hello, welcome to our first issue of Sound Input, our e-newsletter to clients and friends of Acoustics By Design. We’ll send it periodically, but only when we have news you might find interesting or helpful. This particular issue focuses on several different matters related to healthcare.

Acoustics By Design, Inc.

Consultants in Acoustics, Noise, Vibration, & Technical Systems

Midwest acoustical consultants serving clients in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Tel: 616-241-5810
Fax: 616-588-6390
Toll-free Fax: 877-603-5781

Contact Information

Van Wyk to Speak at AIA Health Facilities Conference

Kenric Van Wyk, President and Principal Acoustical Engineer at Acoustics By Design, Inc., will present a lecture on “The Perfect Storm: Why Acoustics Suddenly Matter in Healthcare Design” at the 42nd Annual AIA Health Facilities Planning Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The talk will be given at 3:45pm on Thursday, April 2nd, 2009, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and will cover a wide range of topics including: LEED for Healthcare, Press Ganey Acoustical Scores, Acoustical Case Studies in Michigan Hospitals, and AIA Interim Sound and Vibration Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities. more...

How to Design Acoustics into Your Next Healthcare Project: Key Considerations

The upcoming Health Facility Planning Conference, "Planning Hospitals for Optimal Performance," will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin and take place at Billings Crowne Plaza in Madison, April 15th – 17th, 2009. Van Wyk, is scheduled for a two hour training on “How to Design Acoustics into Your Next Healthcare Project: Key Considerations” featuring sessions on: architectural acoustics, noise control, vibration isolation, HIPAA standards, and LEED for Healthcare. With healthcare acoustics taking new prominence in healthcare facility design, more...

NICU Noise Control Research for Hospitals

The medical community and design community journals contain many papers discussing noise levels in neonatal intensive care units (NICU’s), how loud they should be and how to achieve those levels. Unfortunately, the recommended noise levels vary and the design recommendations contain few specifics that have been evaluated by qualified acoustical design professionals. Here is a sample of some of the recommended criteria. more...

Acoustics, Patient Care, and The Healing Environment

The healthcare industry is booming and your healthcare costs are rising, so what do you get out of it? Well, besides higher monthly premiums and insurance costs, you do get one thing: choice. You have the freedom to choose between everything from primary care providers to hospitals to outpatient clinics to rehabilitation centers. And this choice is driving up the competition between healthcare providers causing them to place a higher priority on, well - you - getting you and keeping you as a loyal customer, uhm… I mean patient. more...

This email was sent by: Acoustics By Design
124 Fulton Street East - Suite 200 - Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA

Acoustics By Design is one of the leading independent acoustical engineering and audio-visual design firms in the Midwest. We provide consulting services to architects, engineers, facility directors, municipalities, and building owners. Our team of ten full-time employees includes four acoustical engineers, two audio-visual design consultants, one CAD staff, and three administrative personnel. We design audio-visual and technical systems and integrate them with the native acoustical environment for the purpose of enhancing aural and visual communication.

Acoustics By Design is a leader in the acoustical and AV design community for creating sustainable facilities. Our president, Kenric Van Wyk, PE, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and our firm is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

As an independent consulting firm, Acoustics By Design does not represent any manufacturers, suppliers, or resellers of acoustical products, audio-visual equipment, or other technologies. Accordingly, clients of our firm can be assured that our consulting services and recommendations are free from bias.