Acoustic accessibility

Here are some links to the companies’ websites, where they have published some case studies, which show the benefits of using their products.

Connevans 

Ecophon Saint Gobain 

Roberts audio solutions 

The Essex study - sound treatment in rooms. A balloon is burst in four classrooms with varying degrees of acoustic treatment - the sound quality in each room is clearly related to the treatment! 

The Essex Study A YouTube presentation.

Soundfield Systems are an amplification system that evenly distributes the teacher’s voice around the room, using a microphone and speakers thus enabling pupils to hear equally well regardless of where they are seated or which direction the teacher is facing.

They provide a consistent level of sound from the primary source, usually the teacher, around the classroom, at about 10dB above the background noise.  However, they cannot provide the higher signal to noise ratio that is essential for deaf children and young people. 

Soundfield systems and CADS aim to evenly distribute the sound of the teacher’s voice, around the room, by means of a microphone and a speaker or speakers, so that all pupils can hear the teacher clearly. Research has shown that the use of soundfield systems can improve concentration of pupils, improve academic performance, keep noise levels down, improve behaviour, and especially benefit those who are deaf, have difficulties listening in noise, as well as a range of other needs.

1. What is the acoustic performance of your classroom?

'Acoustic Performance' is the properties or qualities of the room that determine how sound is transmitted in it. If your pupils struggle to hear what you are saying, then establishing the acoustic performance of your classroom is a first step to resolving the problem.

Acoustic Accessibility: Acoustic accessibility is achieved when the listener is able receive auditory information clearly and therefore has the potential to understand the information. In a classroom situation, this would usually be speech. (1.1)

ALD: Assistive Listening Device is used to describe personal equipment which helps overcome hearing loss. (3.1)

Acoustic accessibility is achieved when what is spoken is received by the listener at a volume that allows the words to be clearly heard and potentially understood.

Small scale research is often undertaken by Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs), Educational Audiologists and the companies who supply materials and goods elated to the topic.  Such reviews, research and case studies are mentioned where relevant in the text.  Please contact exec@batod.org.uk if you have such research on-going or are able to suggest areas that further information would prove valuable to you.

There are various online forums for Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs), Educational Audiologists and parents of deaf children, in the UK and other parts of the world. Contact BATOD for further information via exec@batod.org.uk .