Music is medicine in the Doernbecher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

By Kristyna Wentz-Graff and Lisa McMahan March 27, 2017 Portland, Ore.

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Sondra George holds her three-week-old son, William George, as Whitney McCann plays him a lullaby at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU, December 1, 2016. Research has shown that live music decreases stress levels for babies in hospital settings. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

NICU music therapy

Marylhurst University student Whitney McCann (left) and certified music therapist Laura Beer sing for a child at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU, December 1, 2016. Research has shown that live music in neonatal units can help lower the heart and respiratory rates in premature babies, as well as increase their oxygen level, and improve sucking response. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

NICU music therapy

A decibel meter is used to monitor volume, which is critical in the NICU environment. “The babies physiologically are very sensitive, many of them are underdeveloped in terms of their hearing abilities," says certified music therapist Laura Beer, who donates her time to the OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU. "We have to be very careful to keep our playing under 70 decibels.” (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

NICU music therapy

Marylhurst University student Whitney McCann sings for a child at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU, December 1, 2016. Research has shown that live music in neonatal units can help lower the heart and respiratory rates in premature babies, as well as increase their oxygen level, and improve sucking response. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

NICU music therapy

Certified music therapist Laura Beer plays a flute in an empty hallway in the OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU. “The babies physiologically are very sensitive, many of them are underdeveloped in terms of their hearing abilities," says certified music therapist Laura Beer, who donates her time playing on the unit. "We have to be very careful to keep our playing under 70 decibels.” (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

NICU music therapy

Ann Babbitt, RN (left) rocks an infant as certified music therapist Laura Beer sings for a child at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU, December 1, 2016. Research has shown that live music in neonatal units can help lower the heart and respiratory rates in premature babies, as well as increase their oxygen level, and improve sucking response. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

NICU music therapy

Three-week-old William George smiles as Whitney McCann plays him a lullaby at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital NICU, December 1, 2016. Research has shown that live music decreases stress levels for babies in hospital settings. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)