Death by beep? Bad sound design costs lives (and how to fix it) | Michael Schutz | TEDxMcMasterU
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- Doctors and nurses rely on an array of medical devices. Unfortunately, the poorly designed "beeps" in these machines are so annoying they lead to confusion, delay patient recovery, and even contribute to deaths. Despite high interest in improving these alarms, surprisingly little attention has been given to the sounds themselves. For the next generation of machines, why not look to sounds used all the world over…the sounds used in music? Known for his innovative blend of performance, teaching and research, Dr. Michael Schutz is currently Associate Professor of Music Cognition/Percussion at McMaster University, where he is currently University Scholar in recognition of his work connecting music performance and music perception. He is the founding director of the MAPLE Lab and a core member of the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
As someone who lost their father because of one of those critical misses, this talk just hits differently. Anything we can do to help change that number needs to be done.
It's a shame that such a simple solution like incorporating musical sounds has been overlooked for so long.
I can only imagine the positive impact it would have on both patients and medical staff. 😊
The use of musical sounds in medical devices could revolutionize the industry. It could make a real difference in patient care.
This talk is a powerful reminder that healthcare providers have a huge responsibility to ensure that they are doing everything they can to prevent critical misses.
It's encouraging to see people speaking out about this issue and advocating for change, because every step we take towards reducing critical misses could make a life-saving difference.
FINALLY SOME ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT! We have known that our brains know how to be selective for so long - WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE SUCH ANNOYING SOUNDS FOR MACHINES THAT ARE MEANT TO SAVE LIVES???
I never really thought about it but now that you have pointed it out it makes a lot of sense
we need more attention towards this
spread the word out!
@@kenanxo7384 Yes please do share this talk to help spread the word! There's really no benefit to these awful sounds - and quite a lot of detriment
@Rissa Krows PaggW3lly has a pretty decent overview of how it's made. I think the reason it's so annoying is that such a pristine constant amount of energy is rather unnatural and removes so many of the properties of sound our brain's use to understand events producing sound. So it results in this eery/annoying quality. Unfortunately these sounds are "easy" to produce and since people don't think much about sound annoyance it's just been that way for many decades
not all heroes wear capes. Some wield guitars and tackle annoying alarms. Keep doing your thing, man. Hospitals need more folks like you.
Can’t believe how overlooked this issue is. Glad this talk is bringing attention to it. We need more awareness about how important sound design is in medical devices.
So glad someone is coming to the table in terms of upgrading those machines. I visited my father in hospital every night for a week and I could barely handle that, no idea how doctors and nurses do it day in day out
As a nurse, I've dealt with these alarms daily. The struggle is real and his solution is brilliant.
must drive you crazy
As someone who spends a lot of time in hospitals, this talk really makes sense. Those alarms are the worst. They’re so loud and stressful, and now I understand how they can actually be harmful.
I love that he's bringing his passion for sound into healthcare! This kind of thinking is so valuable.
This approach could legit revolutionize how we experience healthcare environments, both as patients and staff. Nice.
I never considered the role of supporting the arts in improving healthcare, but Mike's argument makes sense. Appreciating and participating in music can contribute to a better sounding world
I appreciate how Mike acknowledges the limitations of his own expertise and collaborates with medical professionals to ensure that his acoustic ideas align with real-world hospital environments
I love the idea of using music to create better alarm sounds. It makes so much sense! If alarms were more pleasant, maybe doctors and nurses wouldn't feel the need to turn them off all the time.
Love that he's using his musical background to bring a fresh perspective to medical devices. It's a brilliant exmaple of why we should draw on multiple sources if we want innovative design.
Mike's talk made me think about how small design decisions can have significant consequences. I appreciate his call to support the arts and explore innovative solutions to improve patient safety.
8:05- I gave an out loud ‘WOW’ to this!
His insights into the outdated hospital alarm noises are pretty eye-opening! It's refreshing to see someone addressing such a critical yet overlooked aspect of healthcare.
This is one of the talks that make you wonder why this hasn’t been addressed before- especially when it is obvious that there are better ways to do it already available.
I agree thanks for watching :) I think part of the problem is that these machines are designed by engineers focused on their mechanics and the sounds are an afterthought. But by raising awareness of this issue and what can be done I'm hoping we can improve this soon!
The fact that alarms have consistently made it to the top 10 health technology hazards list is a cause for concern. It's encouraging to know that there are dedicated individuals like Mike working on solutions.
Kudos, Mike! Your proposal to use music and your background as a musician bring a unique touch to healthcare innovation. Embracing creativity in solving these problems is exactly what we need. Keep pushing those boundaries!
The connection between music and sound design is intriguing. Leveraging musical knowledge to improve medical alarms is a unique approach. It's inspiring to see how different fields can come together to solve critical problems.
I think this is a reminder of how important design is, and also how important it is to keep updating as we have the ability to do so!
It's cool to see someone talk about the value of sound design. I've always had a pet theory that sound design is one of the main reasons Star Wars took off the way it did as a franchise.
good send Feng, thanks
I wonder if you hear a flat line right before you pass away?
@@jamesbowie4540 wtf!!!
I never realized the impact that bad sound designs in medical devices could have on patient safety until now. Mike's explanation really opened my eyes to this critical issue
Totally feeling this. Hospitals need a sound makeover, for real. Your music vibe to fix those alarms is spot on. Let's groove our way to a healthier future!
Yeah this talk just blew my mind... who knew hospital alarms could be such a big deal? Can't wait for that symphony of health to replace the annoying beeps. Rock on!
Absolutely loved Mike's take on using his musical expertise to revolutionize this field. Who knew that a touch of music could be the antidote to annoying alarms?
Thanks for shedding light on this. I had no idea that something as seemingly minor as alarm sounds could have such profound consequences. It's really great to see someone tackling these overlooked issues.
This definitely resonates with me. My mom was in hospital recently and I remember thinking all those beeps would be so frustrating when you're trying to rest and recover.
Love it! My mom was a nurse and would come home constantly complaining about headaches because of how noisy it had been
As I nurse I can definitely confirm how real of an issue alarm fatigue is. Anything that can make them less of a nuisance and more of a help is a step in the right direction.
I'm so hopeful after listening to Mike's talk. It's inspiring to see how the medical device industry can make such a simple change that can have a huge impact on patient safety and recovery. Let's support this initiative and make a better sounding world!
your talk deserves all the claps! Changing hospital sounds? Genius move! Can't wait for a future where alarms are more Mozart than machine.
This is an awesome example of how art and science can intersect.
Once you've been trained it really is amazing how obvious the difference in good and bad sound design. Nice to see someone bringing it to such an important field.
Most designs for practical use are obnoxious. I appreciate Michael and his brilliance so very much.
I love how Mike brings his background as a musician into play to tackle the problem of sound annoyance. Using music as a solution seems like a genius approach to improve auditory interfaces.
I thoroughly enjoyed this talk and really hope whoever makes these machines gets with the times!
This is amazing! Those alarms impact both the patients and those caring for them, a thoughtful redesign could alleviate significant amounts of stress.
The avenues that the human mind takes as we grow as a society simply amazes me.
This is a really important and much needed update, I wonder how it's gone in the last two years since this talk!
Absolutely fascinating talk, Mike! Your perspective on the significance of sound design in medical devices is eye-opening. I had no idea that annoying alarms could lead to critical misses in patient care. It's crucial that we find a balance between conveying information and avoiding annoyance.
by far my favorite ted talk. these are exactly the sort of issues that we should be looking for creative solutions to!
Thanks for the kind feedback - so glad you enjoyed this!
Okay, Mike's mission to save lives with better sound design is definitely music to my ears! 🎵🎤 I never thought about the annoyance of medical alarms in hospitals before, but it totally makes sense. Cheers to a harmonious future in healthcare!
I've honestly never thought about the way bad sound design affects my life but now I bet I'll be seeing - or hearing - it everywhere!
It's amazing to think how much our lives can be impacted by something as seemingly simple as the sounds we hear in hospitals...
I'm an electronics engineer working on medical devices. I will definitely bring up this issue for our upcoming projects. Thank you.
did they listen to you?
@@vickycristena we are definitely interested in the results:)
@@vickycristena I did :)
Mike's talk has inspired me to be more conscious of sound design and its impact on our well-being. Even small actions can make a difference, so let's strive for a world with better sounds.
one of my favorite talks! even as an audio geek I never considered how far-reaching the applications could be.
It's not just about changing sounds; it's about improving the entire auditory interface in healthcare
Such a great question. There are things we do, because that's the way we've always done it. Change requires renewed thinking.
Yes Michael, good on you for bringing awareness to this - and wanting to fix it
thanks for emailing me this Liz!
I'm all for looking at systems we think have worked for us to realise that we could be doing so much better. We need to be constantly looking at designs, especially old one's, taking stock of how we can do better. Michael, you are brilliant and this made me think about so many things. Thank you!!!!
Thanks so much Audrey I"m glad this resonated and sparked some new thinking!
The way his passion for sound has led him to this endeavour is really cool! It's made me think how I can apply my creative passions in a way that benefits the community
I agree, I think addressing the annoyance of current alarm sounds would be a wonderful step towards a better work environment as well as health care experience.
The concept of an auditory interface is fascinating. It opens up new possibilities for connecting with technology. It's great to see how sounds can be used to enhance safety and communication, especially in fields like aviation and medicine.
It makes a lot of sense that sometimes those noises would do more harm than good.... but schutz has got the good sounds for us!
I had never thought about this, and now if I ever go into hospital again I am sure I will hear it over and over
He makes a really good point about having to listen to these alarms all day everyday. I wonder if it would ease burnout in medical professionals to not be listening to not have sounds like that going on all the time.
The connection between sound design and patient safety is alarming. It's unsettling to think that something as simple as annoying alarms could lead to critical misses and even patient deaths. This issue deserves attention and improvement
Thank you Michael for sharing this.
Definitely agree about how sounds are fascinating, especially when you start looking at resonant frequencies. Really cool stuff.
This is so true, why has no-one looked at this before now?
this is a fascinating talk. as someone who has done some sound design here and there I think about it a lot too and I'm surprised at how little others do
This is such a logical solution to a surprisingly prevalent issue, well done.
I'm always so amazed by the niche little things people choose to advocate for. It's pretty wonderful.
It's heartening to hear that small changes in sound design can lead to significant improvements in public health. Fixing the sounds of medical devices may be a simple solution with far-reaching benefits
Wonderful illumination of this problem. I was really hoping to hear the results of his team's approach through some examples!
wow this is very cool, I would have never have thought about this, but can now cleary see the issue.
The power of good sound is undeniable, and musicians exemplify this every time they perform. It's great to see that Mike is leveraging his musical knowledge to create better sounds for medical devices.
As a fellow audio geek I can totally relate to Mike's passion for sounds and their beauty. Also enjoyed how he connects the importance of auditory interfaces in fields like train engineering and aviation with those in the medical profession
wow, this is something I never thought about. brilliant talk!
truth!
Never thought of this until now, and this is correct, that can drive you crazy!
This is such a fresh perspective to bring to an issue that is so commonly overlooked... I can't help but wonder what other little parts of the system can be tweaked for better results
The comparison between complex musical sounds and the simplicity of medical device sounds is striking. It's clear that there's a lot of room for improvement in the quality of sounds used in healthcare.
I guess it's like most things - in order to design something good we need to understand what is a bad design. I really hope there are more people like Michael wanting to build towards that good design
Less than a minute in and I'm already blown away.
This is a genuinely fascinating talk. I really learnt something.
He's definitely onto something, obviously those alarms ain't cutting it. Time for a change, and your music twist is pretty rad. Count me in for the sound revolution!
Wow I've never even thought about some of this stuff before but it's all really valid, and I certainly hope those beeps aren't the last sound I hear in this life.
this is fascinating. sent it to a couple friends!
It's an excellent idea and I'd be keen to hear what those new sounds are!
I'd literally never heard of an auditory interface, such a cool concept!
Mike's talk about sound and its impact on medical devices was both eye-opening and ear-opening, if that's even a thing! 😄
I love the idea of using music instead of beeps. It would be so much more soothing for doctors and patients.
He raises some very good points because these are _sick_ people like they should be having a restful time and I don't know how that would happen amongst all of that noise
Sometimes change is just for the sake of it but other times it can actually have a huge impact. We should be more aware of when those times are.
As long as the new designs are enhancing instead of subduing an alarms effectiveness I'm all for it!
This is spot on Michael, surely with all the advancements we've made it's time for all of that gear to get an upgrade!
Thanks! We are well past time for some improvements here hope this can help spark that needed change
I really, really like this idea. So much of our tech is outdated - not just in hospitals - and it's about time we did better.
Super interesting specialisation. And quite important.
I have never thought about how sounds impact our response to the world. I for sure knew how irritated I got with beeping and repetitive sounds, but never considered how it impacted through exposure in the workplace
Right! This was a bit of an eye opener for me and the things I take for granted about how the world works
Totally - I find the beeping annoying in trucks backing up and at supermarket checkout counters. But after hearing so many medical devices use them too I realized there's a lot at stake in addressing this!
Wow I was legit expecting the reason why bad sound design costs lives to be because of how jarring and aggravating they are!! I couldn't imagine being stuck in a hospital bed and hearing those sounds all day.
Never knew medical device alarms were so poorly designed. Makes me think about all the other sounds we just accept without questioning how they affect us.
Wow, those are frightening stats, really. I would have never of realised that these sounds were so detrimental.
This is a really great cause to firstly have noticed and thought "I can do something about that" and also to be advocating for. Would love to know the progress on it since this talk was given
Brilliant. Brilliant. Why on Earth diid no one think of this Sooner!!!!!
Hi Mike! I'm also an audio geek. I used to spend hours editing annoying or disruptive sounds out of my favourite tracks - like all the clock noises at the start of 'time' by pink floyd. I'm constantly impressed by how far the tech has come in terms of those programs - how anyone can now produce studio quality tracks in their own home... so it's pretty surprising to hear that systems using audio for more practical reasons haven't evolved as well.
Hi Flo - nice to meet a fellow audio geek :) You're quite right - the technology has advanced considerably over the past several decades. I'm just hoping we can use some of that soon in these devices. Thanks for your feedback.
Bad sound design is everywhere and costs us more than even what this man is talking about
A well presented talk with a loud and clear message. Thank you Michael
I can't say I've ever really thought about the sounds in hospitals - I've always been too occupied thinking about how flawed the entire system is.