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Making a Case for Classroom Acoustics (Professionals, Parents)

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1.  Word recognition declines with distance and in noise for: Young children with hearing loss Adults Children of all ages a and c a, b, and c

2.  Signal to noise ratio is: Not a concern if the classroom is equipped with a sound field amplification system An issue primarily for children under the age of 13 because those children have immature listening systems Can be affected by noise from outside the classroom itself Not an issue if reverberation is controlled Is mainly a concern for children with significant levels of hearing loss such as those who might receive a cochlear implant

3.  Factors that impact on the signal to noise ratio in a space include: Ambient noise level in the classroom Noise from the building's ventilation system and noise in the hallway Volume or intensity of the speaker's voice a and b a, b and c

4.  Reverberation is more likely to be a problem: In school buildings constructed prior to 1950 In classrooms with tile floors In classrooms with hard wall surfaces with a minimal amount of absorptive materials such as cork boards and fabric wall hangings b and c a, b and c

5.  The ANSI Standard S12 Noise: Is a voluntary standard in most areas of the United States Is now followed for all school construction or renovation projects in 10 states Includes components for ambient noise but not reverberation Has been incorporated into the Americans with Disabilities Act Cannot be used to argue for classroom acoustics under the IDEA

6.  Portable classrooms provide: A positive alternative for noisy spaces in conventions school buildings An acoustical environment that is often even worse than that of the typical classroom building Generally provide quiet environments with lower levels of reverberation than traditional school buildings Are not used for students with hearing loss and hence are not environment to be concerned about

7.  Architects and school planners today are: Generally designing new schools that follow the ANSI standard Well aware of the standard but are constrained by the high cost of building according to the standard. Still learning about the standard and generally not implementing the standard unless told to do so. Encouraging school districts to include the provisions of ANSI S12 Noise in new projects.

8.  With regard to Federal laws and acoustical improvements: There are currently laws in place that parents of children with hearing loss can utilize to seek improvements in their child's listening environment at school Since Federal laws don't apply to private facilities, the child would need to be in a public (not private) school for such laws to apply Schools can provide a FM system in lieu of improving the acoustical environment a and b a, b, and c

9.  The cost of incorporating acoustical improvements in school construction projects: Generally adds at least 10 percent and often more to the total cost of new construction or renovation projects Is less if incorporated into the design from the beginning rather than as an add-on Is always prohibitive if undertaken for an individual classroom within a school a and b

10.  Other children who may benefit from acoustical improvements include: Children who have auditory processing disorders Children who are blind or have low vision Children who speak Spanish a and c a, b and c