Classroom Acoustics

Classrooms are loud places, especially in the younger grades. Noise is a good sign of engagement and essential in the learning process, but managing it is an important part of the learning experience as well. Classroom noise levels often reach 50-60 dB or higher, which is far above the recommended 35 dB. Background noise can negatively affect learning in all kids, especially up to around 13-15 years old. This is especially true for students with hearing loss and ELLs.

Listening for anyone in a noisy environment can be difficult. Children who are hearing through a device have to work extra hard to do this which can cause listening fatigue. Background noise is especially detrimental when learning new or complex information.

Classroom acoustics are impacted by various things. While you can’t control everything, understanding classroom acoustics can help us better serve our students by creating good listening environments.

What impacts classroom acoustics?

Classroom acoustics refers to the way sound travels in a room. There are two main factors that contribute to classroom acoustics: background noise and reverberation.

Background noise

This is any ambient noise in the classroom that is not intentional. Background noise can come from within the room, or outside the room. Background noise makes it more challenging for students with hearing loss to focus on the speaker, and separate important information from the ambient noise. People with typical hearing naturally tune out background noise, and may not realize how many sources of noise there are in a typical classroom:

Sounds Outside the Building

Look at the classroom windows. Are you near a field? Landscapers can be very loud. If you are anywhere near a street, airport, or playground, there is the possibility that traffic will be a source of background noise. If these sources of background noise are present in a classroom, the student’s best seat may not be near the window.

Sounds Inside the Building

Immediate noise from outside the classroom can also contribute to background noise. Sources in the building include being near a bathroom, cafeteria, or music room. Additional noise comes from the hallway during transitions. Some of these noises from outside of the classroom can be alleviated by closing the classroom door. Some rooms may not be appropriate for children with hearing loss, and in the elementary grades, sometimes a different class or room could be a more appropriate acoustic fit.

Sounds within the Classroom

There are plenty of noises in the classroom that can contribute to background noise. Things like the heat vents and AC can create extra noise that is unavoidable. Students should be seated away from these sources of ambient noise, keeping in mind that sometimes the AC and heating vents are located in different places. Other things that can contribute to ambient noise are electronic devices, like pencil sharpeners, motors on fish tanks, fans, and more. Additional sources of background noise in the classroom include other students chatting and chairs being pushed in and out.

Reverberation

Reverberation is how the sounds bounce around within a room. When there is more bouncing, the noise seems louder. When sounds are absorbed, the room seems quieter. Hard surfaces cause sound waves to bounce around, whereas soft surfaces absorb sound waves and keep reverberation low. Reverberation will especially affect kids who struggle with localizing sound, such as children with a unilateral loss.

The Materials

The actual material of the floor can make a big difference when it comes to reducing reverberation. Materials like concrete and vinyl will be less absorbent of sound than porous materials like carpet. Area rugs can be used on hard floors to absorb sound when wall to wall carpeting is not an option.

Also, the material of the walls can make a difference. Like flooring, the material of the walls can impact sound travel. Concrete and paneling will amplify sound whereas plasterboard does a little better with absorption. Sound panels can absorb sound waves and reduce reverberation.

High ceilings over 10 feet can also cause excess reverberation. This is one reason many gyms have sound panels installed. A classroom with high ceilings, tile floor, and cinder block walls is not an ideal acoustic environment and can greatly impact student’s accessibility to learning.

Ways to Improve Classroom Acoustics

Creating a positive environment and good acoustics in the classroom is a great way to set our hard of hearing students up for success. While not every aspect of the classroom is in our control, there are some things we can do to improve the listening environment.

Use soft materials like rugs and sound panels to reduce reverberation
Silence chairs to stop excess noise (try Quiet Feet, Chair Slippers, Hushh-ups, or these fuzzy feet)
Turn off noisy equipment when not in use
Seat children away from sources of noise- even intermittent noise like pencil sharpeners
Close classroom doors or windows
Wear and use Hearing Assistive Technology (FM Systems, Soundfields) appropriately
Encourage students to speak one at a time
Allow students to work at the back table or in the hallway during group work

Collaborating with classroom teachers is essential in creating positive listening environments. Even small changes can make a huge impact when it comes to reducing background noise and support all students.

Final Thoughts

Classroom acoustics have a big impact on a child’s ability to learn. Providing a positive listening environment reduces listening fatigue and helps our students focus on learning. I spend time teaching my students about classroom acoustics so that they can make informed decisions about seating, group work, and properly advocate for themselves in school and in life. I use my Self-Advocacy for Seating and Classroom Acoustics resource with my middle and high school students who are responsible for picking their own seat. The more they know about the factors impacting their learning, the better advocates they will be!

Stay updated with everything Listening Fun by joining my email list! The first thing I will send you are my free Parts of Hearing Devices Self-Advocacy Worksheets and access to my free resource library.

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Happy Teaching!

-Deanna