A new wing in the hospital features large windows that allow more light in the facility, helping promote a healing environment. At the same time, these windows also let in noise from the outside that can potentially disrupt patients and their visitors. The issue of greater noise is compounded by hard floors, which are necessary to accommodate furniture and devices with wheels but can also amplify sound.
In many areas of the hospital, even a penny dropping seems loud. Drop the same penny in the newer wing, however, and most people wouldn’t even hear it.