Quiet closing bins were also deployed and staff were encouraged to restrict visitors to designated times and keep their own noise to a minimum when possible.

These measures in Newcastle reduced peak noise levels by around 20%, bringing them well below the 80dB threshold（极限，门槛） at which hearing can be damaged over time, the Journal of Clinical Nursing reports.

And in Taunton, the time that noise levels breached 60dB at night fell from 75% to 59%.

Patients also said they felt more rested and had better quality sleep.

Michael Summers of the Patients Association said: "It is bad enough when you are recovering from an illness in hospital. You at least expect some privacy and quiet.

"If everyone made a concerted effort - that applies to patients and staff - it could reduce noise levels and make wards more peaceful places."

He said ward managers should look at which simple measures could be taken to limit unnecessary noise.

Dr Anna Hutchings led the Taunton research which will soon be presented at a British Thoracic Society meeting.

She said hospitals might think about introducing quiet zones, similar to those found on trains, and putting up posters to remind people to switch their mobiles to quiet settings.

"Mobile phones came up time and again as an issue.

"I don't think we could ask people not to bring them into hospitals, but we could think about how and where they are used."

Data from health regulator the Care Quality Commission show over the past few years nearly 40% of patients have been concerned about noise at night from other patients and around 20% from staff.

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