Abstract

Given that children spend a large part of their school day engaged in listening activities, the impact of classroom acoustics cannot be overlooked. The complex listening environment of classrooms affects instruction of all students, especially young listeners. In this study of kindergarten to grade 3 classrooms: (a) hearing screening results indicated that only 71% to 88% of students passed; (b) measurement of noise revealed that 92% of classrooms tested did not meet noise level standards; (c) observations showed mixed results with trends toward improved student responses to amplified teachers’ voices as compared to unamplified; and (d) interviews with teachers and students who had sound field amplification indicated positive attitudes towards the technology. Recommendations which emerged from the study include the need for: hearing screenings of young children; improvements in classroom listening environments; and teacher education on sound field amplification technology. Practical implications for the use of sound field technology are discussed.