Why classroom acoustics standards are so crucial for our children

Written by

Delaco Panels

24 October 2024

•

3 min read

Studies have found that poor classroom acoustics and design could be linked to lower skill and therefore diminished earning capacity. Teachers and educators who struggle to maintain students’ discipline, cooperation, motivation and engagement levels, may not realise that it has something to do with the way their classroom is designed and not adhering to classroom acoustics standards.

Classrooms with bad acoustics can make the hearing and understanding of speech very difficult for children, whom owing to their neurological immaturity and lack of experience in predicting a message from context, are inefficient listeners.

Those children who continually miss key words, phrases and concepts in class will be significantly disadvantaged, with research proving that poor classroom acoustics has an adverse impact on skill levels and future earning capacity (James, Stead, Clifton-Brown & Scott 2012).

Where Australia sits globally when it comes to classroom acoustics standards

Much of what is learnt in schools across the country is via extended periods of hearing and listening, with school children typically spending an average of four to five hours per day in classrooms.

In Australia, there are currently no official national regulations or classroom acoustics standards that encompass all aspects of the acoustical qualities in primary and secondary schools, unlike in the UK, the USA, New Zealand and Sweden where the importance of acoustics has resulted in the development of acoustic criteria for educational facilities.

"Poor classroom acoustics are known to negatively impact on the learning and teaching process."

Implementing a good acoustic environment in the classroom

The results of social surveys show a clear correlation between noise levels and performance in schools. The need for an appropriate set of consistent Australia wide acoustical criteria has arisen. The cost of providing an acoustic environment to meet guidelines is minimal compared to the potential ongoing economic loss suffered by a student. In fact, for an initial outlay of an additional $254 per child during their schooling period, it could contribute to the prevention of the above mentioned potential salary loss of $500,000.

A good acoustic environment within educational facilities should not be compromised by the initial higher cost of construction as this is far outweighed by the immediate and long term benefits to students.

*Based on the research paper, James, D., Stead, M., Clifton-Brown, D., & Scott, D. (2012). A cost benefit analysis of providing a ‘sound’ environment in educational facilities.

A linear regression model done by the pair in 2008 showed that there was potentially an average 33 % decrease in performance for the acoustically untreated classrooms with poor acoustics.

The research also showed that the potential overall loss in salary based on average hourly rates (over a 39 year working period) as a result of poor classroom acoustics may be as high as $500,000.

Control the reflections in the room and create a more pleasant acoustic environment

We have designed our acoustic panels to assist in producing the ideal environment. Rooms with poor acoustics can, and likely will create reverberations.

This occurs when the sound waves collide with both hard and smooth surfaces, which in turn reflect the sound throughout the room. Our acoustic panels counteract this by way of refracting the sound waves partially with the wooden slats, but mostly into the acoustic felt itself.

How does this affect us day to day?

Poor acoustics can lead to negative health affects such as disturbed sleep, cardiovascular issues and hearing problems.

On the positive side, improved acoustics have been proven to increase productivity, reduce stress levels, improve communication and overall provide a more pleasant work environment.