Document Detail


Background noise levels and reverberation times in unoccupied classrooms: predictions and measurements.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12691216     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Classrooms are often filled with deterrents that hamper a child's ability to listen and learn. It is evident that the acoustical environment in classrooms can be one such deterrent. Excessive background noise and reverberation can affect the achievement and educational performance of children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and children with normal hearing sensitivity who have other auditory learning difficulties, as well as elementary school children with no verbal or hearing disabilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of the problem of noise and reverberation in schools. To that end, we measured reverberation times and background noise levels in 32 different unoccupied elementary classrooms in eight public school buildings in central Ohio. The results were compared with the limits recommended in the American National Standards Institute standard for acoustical characteristics of classrooms in the United States (ANSI S12.60-2002). These measurements were also compared to the external and internal criteria variables developed by Crandell, Smaldino, & Flexer (1995) to determine if a simple checklist can accurately predict unwanted classroom background noise levels and reverberation. Results indicated that most classrooms were not in compliance with ANSI noise and reverberation standards. Further, our results suggested that a checklist was not a good predictor of the noisier and more reverberant rooms.
Authors:
Heather A Knecht; Peggy B Nelson; Gail M Whitelaw; Lawrence L Feth
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of audiology     Volume:  11     ISSN:  1059-0889     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Audiol     Publication Date:  2002 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-04-14     Completed Date:  2003-05-14     Revised Date:  2010-12-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9114917     Medline TA:  Am J Audiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  65-71     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acoustics*
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amplifiers, Electronic
Audiology / methods*
Humans
Middle Aged
Noise / adverse effects*
Schools
Speech Perception
Time Factors
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Am J Audiol. 2010 Dec;19(2):139-41; author reply 142   [PMID:  21127162 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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