Death by beep? Bad sound design costs lives (and how to fix it) | Michael Schutz | TEDxMcMasterU

[@camerongdowd]

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.

[@nestermaratos1070]

It's a shame that such a simple solution like incorporating musical sounds has been overlooked for so long.

[@diywithderby6069]

I can only imagine the positive impact it would have on both patients and medical staff. 😊

[@zelmacastricone1228]

The use of musical sounds in medical devices could revolutionize the industry. It could make a real difference in patient care.

[@TRIGO_ALLINE]

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.

[@darrellrussell7259]

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.

[@selitudenow]

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???

[@darrellrussell7259]

I never really thought about it but now that you have pointed it out it makes a lot of sense

[@kenoxfps8598]

we need more attention towards this

[@kenanxo7384]

spread the word out!

[@Schutz.percussion]

@@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

[@Schutz.percussion]

@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

[@pierrept]

The stats on missed alarms really put into perspective how important good sound design is for hospitals. It's literally life or death! I hope this gets more attention and whatever funding it needs

[@destiny-cole]

I think this talk really highlights the importance of user experience in design. we often focus on function and forget about the human element. good reminder for any field, not just healthcare.

[@TheAffinityAdvocate]

not all heroes wear capes. Some wield guitars and tackle annoying alarms. Keep doing your thing, man. Hospitals need more folks like you.

[@Dollspell]

His call to action for the medical device industry to fix the sounds is so necessary. We need more advocates for better design in all aspects of healthcare.

[@malachijude]

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

[@Sky-Leap]

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!

[@kyleighmcdowell]

As a nurse, I've dealt with these alarms daily. The struggle is real and his solution is brilliant.

[@dylantaylor6200]

must drive you crazy

[@myadanco]

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.

[@Schutz.percussion]

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!

[@davinachilds]

I love that he's bringing his passion for sound into healthcare! This kind of thinking is so valuable.

[@BagofSwag]

His background in music adds so much credibility to his points. Very convincing. It’s cool to see how his love for music is helping to solve real-world problems.

[@ryandombster1424]

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.

[@zacksuchodolska]

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

[@joycewright2788]

8:05- I gave an out loud ‘WOW’ to this!

[@thisdidnotfkinghelpatall]

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.

[@fenglov9111]

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.

[@dakjussord821]

good send Feng, thanks

[@jamesbowie4540]

I wonder if you hear a flat line right before you pass away?

[@dylantaylor6200]

@@jamesbowie4540 wtf!!!

[@samanthakatzalay]

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.

[@nadiaferchichi]

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.

[@Techodeflash]

This approach could legit revolutionize how we experience healthcare environments, both as patients and staff. Nice.

[@elisbrokli]

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

[@isabelledanska]

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.

[@northcosca]

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.

[@czarcasm2168]

This dude is onto something amazing! It makes me think about all the other auditory interfaces like traffic noises and subway announcements... it'd be really cool if all of that got a make over

[@jonrhome]

The way he broke down the complexity of musical sounds vs the simplicity of current alarms was really cool. I never realized there was so much going on in a single violin note!

[@natalyaguilerafigueroa]

I never thought about how annoying beeping sounds could actually be dangerous! He made me realize how important sound design is, especially in hospitals where it could literally be a matter of life and death.

[@ariadne1428]

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!

[@---nameless---]

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!

[@robertlcbranson6834]

Yeah this really is something that should be addressed and fixed by now, I’ve seen the fallout from one of those “mistakes” and it is so incredibly sad knowing that someone should still be alive and very easily could have been

[@demiloster]

I loved the part where he talked about his background in music. It’s always cool to see someone using their passion in such a unique way.

[@jackbenns]

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

[@realminipowers]

I love this idea because it reframes our perceptions on the environment too. We often think of hospitals as these big, sterile and uncomfortable institutions but if there was beautiful harmonious music throughout the wards it'd completely change all of that.

[@jacquelinebrumbaugh]

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!

[@pizza-addict]

Didn't expect to learn so much about sound design in a TEDx talk. Really interesting stuff. It’s amazing how something as simple as sound can have such a big impact on health care.

[@sandynharris]

by far my favorite ted talk. these are exactly the sort of issues that we should be looking for creative solutions to!

[@Schutz.percussion]

Thanks for the kind feedback - so glad you enjoyed this!

[@georgewatkiss]

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?

[@mymotivationsnow]

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!

[@shirleytross]

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.

[@maxinebennier]

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!

[@pennjteller]

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.

[@discofevernow]

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.

[@IWonaMillion]

the historical perspective on why we ended up with these annoying beeps was really enlightening. never thought about how the limitations of old technology are still influencing current day devices..

[@kingbrantley]

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!

[@amazingsecretsofus]

This is amazing! Those alarms impact both the patients and those caring for them, a thoughtful redesign could alleviate significant amounts of stress.

[@briannestory9750]

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.

[@TheRubenZepeda]

your talk deserves all the claps! Changing hospital sounds? Genius move! Can't wait for a future where alarms are more Mozart than machine.

[@sashapetrovic1678]

I found it fascinating how he compared the simplicity of current alarm sounds to the complexity of musical notes. It really highlights how much room there is for improvement.

[@milapercava]

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

[@michaelhunt635]

The idea of integrating music into alarms is genius. Why hasn't anyone thought of this before? Music is so much more pleasant and could make a huge difference in hospitals.

[@aliayvance]

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.

[@TheLaidbackSquirrel]

This just makes me wonder why we've stuck with basic sounds in medical devices for this long. Pretty excited to see how this develops.

[@carldupont4440]

Never thought about alarms as an auditory interface before. Interesting perspective. It’s a whole new way of thinking about how we interact with technology.

[@ashmillen]

Most designs for practical use are obnoxious. I appreciate Michael and his brilliance so very much.

[@SinfulTrust]

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.

[@mateoolsert]

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.

[@lincolnmessier1840]

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.

[@aleidbarend]

This is so true, why has no-one looked at this before now?

[@kashaiq]

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

[@58vette]

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.

[@samuelygeissler]

one of my favorite talks! even as an audio geek I never considered how far-reaching the applications could be.

[@yemreikiz]

I'm an electronics engineer working on medical devices. I will definitely bring up this issue for our upcoming projects. Thank you.

[@vickycristena]

did they listen to you?

[@yemreikiz]

@@vickycristena we are definitely interested in the results:)

[@erenemreaydin]

@@vickycristena I did :)

[@stanzdumas]

This talk makes me think about how we take sound for granted. We need to pay more attention to it, especially in critical environments.

[@jorgeestoban]

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.

[@Me-lolahernandez]

Love it! My mom was a nurse and would come home constantly complaining about headaches because of how noisy it had been

[@milesprimrose5990]

The avenues that the human mind takes as we grow as a society simply amazes me.

[@oscarnotreallyawiener]

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

[@Enzo-Sardi]

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

[@shureedouglas8682]

It's not just about changing sounds; it's about improving the entire auditory interface in healthcare

[@justanormalboyreallynormal]

Definitely agree about how sounds are fascinating, especially when you start looking at resonant frequencies. Really cool stuff.

[@ironmercMike]

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!

[@kinsleydanton]

It's amazing to think how much our lives can be impacted by something as seemingly simple as the sounds we hear in hospitals...

[@kakakakanananana]

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.

[@tshaurich]

If annoying sounds were a sport, medical alarms would be the world champions. It's like they have an Olympic-level talent for being irritating. But seriously, we need to rethink the design and make them more user-friendly

[@HeavenlyProphet]

This is such a logical solution to a surprisingly prevalent issue, well done.

[@n-san-eye_t]

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.

[@nelwashington]

This is an awesome example of how art and science can intersect.

[@lesliecrossI]

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

[@SpeckledDude]

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.

[@audreylstamford]

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!!!!

[@Schutz.percussion]

Thanks so much Audrey I"m glad this resonated and sparked some new thinking!

[@therealphoebuscommunication]

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

[@shimmikang]

Right! This was a bit of an eye opener for me and the things I take for granted about how the world works

[@Schutz.percussion]

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!

[@lFEARLESSMEDIAl]

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.

[@rachealbrasner4237]

This is a really important and much needed update, I wonder how it's gone in the last two years since this talk!

[@ayaanthetruth]

Never thought of this until now, and this is correct, that can drive you crazy!

[@dudley4318]

I'm always so amazed by the niche little things people choose to advocate for. It's pretty wonderful.

[@adairamacdonald]

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

[@yassacrown]

Wow, those are frightening stats, really. I would have never of realised that these sounds were so detrimental.

[@leah-buttons]

wow this is very cool, I would have never have thought about this, but can now cleary see the issue.

[@gabekilljoy]

Such a great question. There are things we do, because that's the way we've always done it. Change requires renewed thinking.

[@samacigrist]

I love the idea of using music instead of beeps. It would be so much more soothing for doctors and patients.

[@gabehileski]

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.

[@TheKaboomGirl]

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

[@lizb5458]

Yes Michael, good on you for bringing awareness to this - and wanting to fix it

[@ulisseditaque]

thanks for emailing me this Liz!

[@BladeStunBert]

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!

[@morefunallthetime]

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.

[@butterflyaffect]

I thoroughly enjoyed this talk and really hope whoever makes these machines gets with the times!

[@suzyqsuzy]

As long as the new designs are enhancing instead of subduing an alarms effectiveness I'm all for it!

[@aaronsswank]

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

[@vickycristena]

Had surgery last month, and yeah I remember the beeps, all night all day

[@flodavis]

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.

[@Schutz.percussion]

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.

[@stewynotthedog]

I work in a hospital and if the general public saw how outdated so much of our processes and machinery was there'd be an uproar