Sound exposure has different effects on different animals. Noise produced by animals and animal care activities is inherent in animal facilities. It is important, however, to minimize the production of unnecessary noise. The facility environment has been designed to reduce the noise exposure. For example, noisy animals such as dogs and swine are housed away from quieter animals.
DLAR personnel try to minimize noise exposure when cleaning, feeding and caring for animals.
According to the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, radios and other sound generators should not be used in animal rooms unless they are part of an approved protocol or an enrichment program. Thought should also be given to the potential effects of equipment that produces noise in the hearing range of nearby animals e.g., video display terminals, electronic scales, centrifuges, flourescent lights and ultrasonic cleaners. We often forget that many species can hear frequencies of sound that are inaudible to humans. The handbook was developed specifically for users of animals at Wayne State University and the Detroit VA Medical Center. It is intended that each person, who is a principal investigator and who utilizes animals for research or educational purposes, receive a copy.