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Practice Standards & Resources Classroom AcousticsHow room acoustics affect listening and learning, what educational audiologists can do about it, and the evidence base for classroom design and remediation. Three Resources to Look at FirstKey Points at a GlanceNoise Compounds Hearing LossBackground noise makes listening harder for every learner, and it has the greatest impact on students with hearing differences. ANSI/ASA Standards ExistNational acoustic standards for classrooms are well established, but they are rarely enforced without advocacy. Reverberation Is Often OverlookedHard surfaces, open plans, and large rooms create reverberation that degrades speech clarity. Small Changes HelpSoft seating, rugs, and curtains can meaningfully improve a classroom, even on a tight budget. EAA Position Statements and StandardsThere is no EAA position statement on this topic yet. See the EAA resources below for foundational guidance. EAA Practical Tools & ResourcesEAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY
Classroom Acoustics and Hearing: Essentials to LearningEAA's main advocacy document on classroom acoustics. Log in to access. EAA PAGE
The Importance of Good Classroom AcousticsA public-facing summary suitable for sharing with administrators. EAA Research & EvidencePeer-reviewed articles from the Journal of Educational, Pediatric & (Re)Habilitative Audiology. JEPRA
Background Noise & Reverberation in Elementary ClassroomsLubisich Nelson, Smaldino, Erler, & Garstecki External ResourcesExternal links are informational and not endorsements. EXTERNAL · ASHA
Improving Classroom AcousticsASHA's family- and educator-friendly remediation guidance. EXTERNAL · ASA
Acoustical Society of America: Classroom AcousticsThe owner of the ANSI/ASA S12.60 classroom-acoustics standard. EXTERNAL · ANDERSON
Success for Kids with Hearing LossA practitioner-built resource from Karen L. Anderson on classroom listening strategies. EXTERNAL · ANDERSON
Classroom Acoustical Screening Survey WorksheetA tiered worksheet for screening a classroom's noise and reverberation against ANSI/ASA S12.60 (Handbook Appendix 7–B). EXTERNAL · ACENTECH
The Case for Good Classroom AcousticsAcoustical engineers' public-facing case for inclusive classroom design. The interactive 3DListening demo lets you hear the same room untreated, with an absorptive ceiling, and with ceiling and wall treatment, and the piece walks through LEED, CHPS, ICC A117.1, and ANSI S12.60. EXTERNAL · ACENTECH
Classroom Acoustics White Paper (PDF)A print-friendly PDF version of Acentech's classroom acoustics article, useful for sharing with administrators, facilities staff, or school committees during advocacy meetings. EXTERNAL · CDC / NIOSH
NIOSH Sound Level Meter AppA free, NIOSH-validated sound-level meter for iOS. It is useful for classroom walk-throughs, advocacy meetings, and on-site documentation against ANSI/ASA S12.60 targets. Listen Carefully Listening conditions matter for every student in the room.Equip yourself with the evidence to push for better classroom acoustics — for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, students with attention differences, and every other learner. Members-Only Discussion In the EAA CommunityOn the EAA listserv, members regularly discuss classroom acoustics. Recent threads have covered:
Related TopicsAmplification & Hearing Technology ›Technology that supplements better acoustics. Advocacy & Program Justification ›Acoustic advocacy is often a frontline issue. Noise & Hearing Loss Prevention ›Classroom and community noise are connected. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the recommended acoustic targets?ANSI/ASA S12.60 sets specific targets for background noise (35 dBA) and reverberation time (≤ 0.6 seconds for typical classrooms). EAA's classroom acoustics document walks through how to apply them. How do I measure classroom acoustics?Sound-level meters (smartphone apps work for screening) measure background noise. Reverberation time requires more specialized equipment but can be estimated from room characteristics. What's reverberation and why does it matter?Reverberation is sound that persists in a room after the source stops. Excessive reverberation smears speech sounds together and degrades clarity for everyone, with the greatest impact on students who are deaf or hard of hearing. What low-cost fixes can help?Soft seating, area rugs, curtains, acoustic ceiling tiles, and bookshelves all add absorption. Reducing HVAC and lighting noise also helps. Sound-field amplification is a higher-investment option. Have a resource to suggest?Help keep this page current. EAA members are welcome to suggest resources to add. |
