MN Hands & Voices

Lifetrack Resources

709 University Avenue West

St. Paul, MN 55104

651-265-2435 Voice

651-265-2379 TTY

866-DHOHKID Toll Free

MNHV@lifetrackresources.org

 
 
Classroom Acoustics

Selected Resources

 

www.MNHandsandVoices.org

 

 

It is estimated that 75% of a child’s time in a classroom is spent on listening activities (Clements).  For children with typical hearing, the ability to listen and hear what is being said can be effected by many factors, such as background noise from inside and outside of the classroom.  For a child who has a hearing loss, these factors can make listening almost impossible at times.  Schools that improve their classroom acoustics can greatly enhance their students’ ability to hear and learn.

 

Improved acoustics can benefit all students, including those with typical hearing and those with hearing loss (see www.customallhear.com).  For example, the benefits of classroom sound-field amplification systems include:

 

  • Improved academic achievement
  • Decreased distractibility and increased on-task behavior
  • Improved spelling and listening test scores
  • Increased language growth
  • Cost-effective means of enhancing the listening and learning environment (see www.hear-more.com/classamplification.htm)

 

MN Hands & Voices has a large and growing collection of resources to support parents as they raise children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

We have several resources related to classroom acoustics, and we are aware of many fine resources on the Internet.  A sample of these is listed below.  A complete list of library resources is available on our website.  To borrow any of the materials from our library, just give us a call or send us an e-mail. 

 

Books and Videos

 

1.                  Our Forgotten Children: Hard of Hearing Pupils in the Schools, edited by Julia M. Davis (third edition, 2001).  This book “provides up-to-date information on the education of children who are hard of hearing.”  Topics include definitions, early intervention, medical aspects of hearing loss, technology, cochlear implants, federal regulations, and resources.

2.                  UP Close and Sound Learning: June 7th Channel 29 newscast; Channel 29 presents how construction of old and new schools with poor acoustics can interrupt learning.  Peggy Nelson from the University of Minnesota shows how appropriate standards are absent from even today’s construction requirements. 

 

Internet Resources

 

1.                  For links to several articles, visit http://deafness.about.com/library and search for “classroom acoustics”.  This will bring you to links to many resources such as:

 

·                    The Acoustical Society of Americawww.acoustics.org offers a booklet on classroom acoustics, holds conferences, and had a newsletter.  They have also held workshops on classroom acoustics. 

·                    The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities provides links and abstracts have online and offline resources on classroom acoustics.

·                    www.ClassroomAcoustics.com is a site that keeps up with current developments in classroom acoustics and offers a listing of testing services.

·                    www.framingham.k12.ma.us/mccarthy/clements.htm is an article titled: “Classroom Amplification Equipment, Not Just for the Hearing Impaired Anymore.”

 

2.                  www.HandsAndVoices.org.  Search for “classroom acoustics” to find “Hands and Voices Interview:  Improve Acoustics in the Classroom Through a Parent’s Perspective” and other related articles.

 

3.                  www.Hear-More.com/ClassAmplification.htm and www.Hear-More.com/ClassSuggestions.htm.  See these pages for “Classroom Sound-Field Amplification Systems (a description of many types and reasons to use them) and “Classroom Sound-Field Amplification:  An Audiologist’s Suggestions.”

 

4.                  www.audiologycentre.com, and www.acoustics.org/press/133rd/2paaa2.html.  These websites offer information on meeting the needs of students who are hard of hearing.  See the sites respectively for “FAQ on Classroom Management of Children with Minimal Hearing Loss,” and “Impact of Hearing Loss on Children in Typical School Environments.”

 

 

 

 

This is not a complete list of resources available.  If you do not find something of interest listed here, we encourage you to contact MN Hands & Voices for further information and

The resources listed here have been selected by the staff of MN Hands & Voices but are not affiliated with us in any way, please review carefully as we can not be responsible for their contents or claims.