NOISY CLASSROOMS

A

10 minute Classroom Noise
 file (mpeg) is provided for your use when administering the Functional Listening Evaluation, working with students on listening in noise or when demonstrating listening in noise challenges.

Apps for signaling classroom noise levels: Looking for a phone app that teachers can use to signal when the classroom may be too noisy? There are a number of options! An app highly rated as being most valid is
SPLnFFT (see
YouTube video). Other apps include:
Too Noisy App,
Silent Light – Classroom Timer and Decibel Meter,
MyClassRules (this app overestimates actual noise levels by 20 dB).

Ideas on how to quiet noisy students: Go
here . But noisy students are the easiest problem to handle when it comes to challenging classroom listening environments. How the classroom was built and the sounds surrounding it will define the background noise levels and reverberation times.

Representing classroom listening issues visually: 



Visual Analogies for speech perception challenges when listening in a classroom. Explaining the effects of reverberation and background noise can be challenging. These visual representations help the teacher or other individual to recognize the challenge posed by poor acoustics and communicates how this issue can result in reduced pace of learning.  Also a puzzle analogy is also included to represent speech audibility and speech perception.

Student learning about classroom noise issues: Information for students or schools who want a fun way to learn about these issues can go to
Quiet Classrooms, an alliance of non-profit organizations working to create better learning environments in schools by reducing noise.

Checklist for student to identify acoustic issues: 
Estimating Classroom Noise Effects   This 10—question checklist for students identifies aspects of classroom listening problems that may be related to poor classroom acoustics.
Classroom Acoustical Screening Survey Worksheet  This 10-question checklist is to be completed by classroom teachers or observing teachers or educational audiologists. Any item of the 10 checked NO would raise a concern. Considering items from both of these checklists is a useful means to identify classrooms (or even schools) where poor acoustics is a concern and acoustic measurement may be warranted.

Apps to use to measure background noise in classrooms: Consider these apps to measure background noise in the classroom:
Too Noisy Pro,
Noise Hunter,
NoiSee,
SoundMeter,
SPLnFFT. More info
here. Per the acoustic
standards, the background noise level should not exceed 35 dBA and we know that students with hearing loss need to have a +15 S/N to be able to perceive speech sounds optimally. How close do your student’s classrooms come to this? Even a gross measure of the teacher talking versus when she is not talking (preferably close to the center of the room at student ear height) via a phone app will give an idea as to whether the background noise level and teacher speech level are just a few dB different or are considerably different.

Summary of classroom acoustics research: ARTICLE:
Kids in Noisy Classrooms: What Does the Research Really Say? Over 40 years of research findings have been categorized and summarized in this paper. The synergistic effects of background noise and reverberation on listening and learning result in a serious impediment to learning.

ARTICLE:
Does noise affect learning? A short review on noise effects on cognitive performance in children.

Handout for schools: 
The Insidious Effects of Classroom Acoustics on Student Performance.  A 3-page handout for parents, school administrators, audiologists and teachers that summarizes the research and reality of inappropriate classroom acoustics and learning. Leave a copy in the staff lounge!
Classroom acoustics information and resources from ASHA.

Wind turbines by your school? Wind turbines are becoming increasingly popular as an energy source. The extra low frequency sound emminated from the turbines will have an effect on surrounding neighborhoods, and on learning if there is a school located close to a turbine. Refer to the following articles for more information:
Wind Turbine Noise – What Audiologists Should Know and
Wind Turbine Noise – Recommended Design Goals .

Open Plan Classrooms,
or classrooms without walls, are a hazard to learning for ALL students. Read
here for an article that clearly illustrates the listening issues related to open plan classrooms. The figure to the right illustrates the findings for typically hearing kindergarten students. Any student with auditory or attention issues can be assumed to perform more poorly than typically hearing students.

The
Ted Talks video recording below has been included because it truly is an eloquent description providing vivid examples of how poor classroom acoustics effect learning and the costs to improve.

Because of poor acoustics, students in classrooms miss 50 percent of what their teachers say and patients in hospitals have trouble sleeping because they continually feel stressed. Julian Treasure sounds a call to action for designers to pay attention to the “invisible architecture” of sound.

http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_why_architects_need_to_use_their_ears.html

MAKING THE CASE FOR CLASSROOM ACOUSTIC CONCERNS

Classroom Acoustics – A First Step Toward Education for All   11/14/08 Slideshow handout

Visual Analogies for speech perception challenges when listening in a classroom. Explaining the effects of reverberation and background noise can be challenging. These visual representations help the teacher or other individual to recognize the challenge posed by poor acoustics and communicates how this issue can result in reduced pace of learning.  Also a puzzle analogy is also included to represent speech audibility and speech perception.

Missing Bits and Pieces of Words  This is a fun exercise that illustrates listening difficulties if classroom acoustics and/or hearing loss causes the higher frequency portions of words to become inaudible. Guess the story based on the ‘words’ presented. Consider how long it took you to figure it out. Those who never heard the story before (imagine new vocabulary in classrooms) may be at a loss to understand the meaning.

ARTICLE: Back to School! 13 Facts Revisited
  (Hearing Review Sept 2004)  Children cannot access classroom instruction unless they can hear the teacher
http://www.hearingreview.com/all-news/15928-back-to-school-13-facts-revisited

SUPPORT FOR USE OF PERSONAL FM TO IMPROVE CLASSROOM LISTENING (not sound field amplification)

Summary of 3 FM Study Comparing Speech Perception in a Typical Classroom for Children with Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants Information from three


experiments that indicate desktop FM or personal FM use results in better speech perception than using sound field amplification or hearing aids or cochlear implants alone.

From Australian Hearing:

ARTICLE:
Benefit of S/N Enhancing Devices to Speech Perception of Children Listening in a Typical Classroom with Hearing Aids or a Cochlear Implant
Journal of Educational Audiology, 12 (2005)

ARTICLE:
Speech Perception Benefits of FM and Infrared Devices to Children with Hearing Aids in a Typical Classroom
LSHSS, 35 (2004)

Soundfield Classroom Amplification Questionnaires for Teacher, Administrator, Student. Source: original MARRS Project 1978.

Updated January 2016.

The post Classroom Acoustics – Impact on Listening and Learning first appeared on Supporting Success For Children With Hearing Loss.

Articles and teaching tips:

• 
  How Arithmetic Word Problems Help Language Development
  
• 
  Addition: Using Math to Help with Language
  
  
  Subtraction: Using Math to Help with Language
  
• 
  Multiplication: Using Math to Help with Language
  
• 
  Division: Using Math to Help with Language
  

Free Apps for Math Help

1. IDEAL
Web Math (K-8) (Free Android App):
Designed to accommodate math-learning disabilities. This app provides step-by-step solutions to any of the following types of math problems: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place values, rounding, number-lines, ratios, proportions, and fractions.

2. IDEAL
Web Math General Math (Free Android App):
Designed to accommodate math-learning disabilities. This app provides step-by-step solutions to any of the following types of math problems: factoring, greatest common factor, least common multiple, fractions to decimals, decimals to fractions, add/subtract/mutliply/divide fractions, and scientific notation.

3. IDEAL
Web Math Algebra (Free Android App):
Designed to accommodate math-learning disabilities. This app provides step-by-step solutions to any of the following types of math problems: simplifying expressions, polynomials, solving linear equations, solving quadratic equations, radical expressions, complex numbers, inequalities, and word problems.

4. IDEAL Web
Math Trig/Calculus (Free Android App):
Designed to accommodate math-learning disabilities. This app provides step-by-step solutions to any of the following types of math problems: trigonometric expressions, right triangles, derivatives, quotient rules, integration, and integrals.

5. IDEAL
Web Math for Everyone (Free Android App):
Designed to accommodate math-learning disabilities. Provides step-by-step solutions to any of the following types of math problems: everyday math, units conversion, personal finance, and math at home.

6. IDEAL
Web Math Plots/Geometry (Free Android App):
Designed to accommodate math-learning disabilities. This app provides step-by-step solutions to any of the following types of math problems: equation of lines, plotting conic sections, graphing, plotting, and geometrical objects.

Posted April 2015.
Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss

The post Math & Language Development first appeared on Supporting Success For Children With Hearing Loss.

Listening with Hearing Loss

Listening with FM Systems

Listening with Cochlear Implants

Listening with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

Demonstrations of the challenges of speechreading can be found HERE

Listening is hard work when you aren’t able to hear all of the speech sounds! Children with hearing loss are usually more fatigued than their typically hearing friends or siblings. For a brief article on this topic from Britain, download Tiredness in Deaf Children

Welcoming the Child with Hearing Loss into Child Care  Not a simulation but good information to share with the parent and/or child care provider along with your suggestion to listen to a hearing loss simulation.

Thanks to all of the researchers who made these resources available!

Visual Simulations of the IMPACT of Hearing Loss

Simulations like the yellow story shown can be very effective in getting across the concept of being able to ‘hear’ but not fully understand or the time lag needed to integrate all of the pieces before comprehension occurs. ready-made handout

Another approach is to provide a visual representation of a student’s estimated access to verbal instruction as identified with the Functional Listening Evaluation.This story is based on The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

which which is well known by many teachers. Here are more visual analogies.

A ready made-handout showing classroom directions imposed over 100 puzzle pieces is a very effective way of visually showing the impact of hearing loss. Here is a handout with puzzle pieces that can be used to effectively report results of a Functional Listening Evaluation.

Simulation of Listening in Varying Classroom Acoustic Conditions

Quick 4-slide Demonstration Be sure to include this 4-slide PowerPoint show with embedded audio files as you inservice teachers. You must show it as a PowerPoint slide show to be able to hear the various simulations. It simulates the effects of distance, high and low frequency listening and reverberation. Classroom Acoustics 4 slides  Our thanks to Phonak for the original materials.

Simulation of Listening with a Hearing Loss – via entering individual audiogram

• Hearing Loss Simulator     Source: NIOSH / Centers for Disease Control. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Hearing Loss Simulator (HLSim) displays a “control panel” for showing the effects of hearing loss visually on the frequency band control panel and sound level display screen while the user listens to the audio playback. For more information or to request a NIOSH Hearing Loss Simulator CD, contact NIOSH Mining at OMSHR@cdc.gov.

Simulations of Listening with a Hearing Loss (audio demonstrations with visuals)

• Hearing Loss Imposed on a Flintstones Cartoon (Mild – Severe Hearing Loss) Source: House Research Institute
• What does a hearing loss sound like? Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) / Center for Disease Control

Simulations of Listening with a Hearing Loss (audio recording demonstrations)

• Video of a sample spelling test with a mild hearing loss
• Simulations of Mild and Moderate Hearing Loss in quiet and various type of noise   Source: HearingLikeMe
• Simulations of Normal Hearing, Mild Hearing Loss, & Moderate Hearing Loss under various noise conditions   Source: Phonak – Understanding Hearing Loss
• Simulations of normal hearing and moderate hearing loss in quiet and with background noise          Source: Centers for Disease Control / National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Simulations of Normal, Mild, Moderate, Severe hearing loss with different sound sources    Source: Starkey
• “Classic” recordings from recordings from the 1970s, including the Unfair Spelling Test (Unfair Hearing Test)
  • “Slight Hearing Loss” of about 20 dB
  • “Mild Hearing Loss” of about 30 dB
  • Normal hearing through 1000 Hz followed by a sloping high frequency hearing loss
  • Normal hearing through 500 Hz followed by a sloping high frequency hearing loss
  • An Unfair Spelling Test   Answers to the Unfair Spelling Test

  Simulations of Listening with a Hearing Loss through a Hearing Aid Microphone

  • • 6 minute recording, minutes 1-3 demonstrate use of hearing aids in a classroom setting    Source: Jim Bombicino

  Recordings Demonstrating Listening Benefit Provided by FM Use (audio demonstrations with visuals)

  • • • 6 minute recording, minutes 3-6 demonstrate use of hearing aids plus FM in a classroom setting      Source:  Jim Bombicino
      • Recording of listening with a hearing aid in noise and then with a Roger Pen

  Simulations of Listening with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

  • • • Simulation of profound neuropathy then severe, moderate, mild and finally the recording without the ANSD simulation.     Source: Details of this acoustic simulation can be found in a paper by Zeng, Oba, Garde, Sininger, and Starr (1999).

  Simulations of Listening with a Cochlear Implant

  Note: people who are born deaf and then get implanted at a young age and those who had normal hearing that progressed into deafness do not “hear” the way that the simulations below suggest. Given time, intervention, motivation and encouragement, the experience of listening through a cochlear implant results in the brain of the person adapting to the electronic input of a cochlear implant which often results in “hearing” with clarity that has been described as being similar to persons typical hearing. Cochlear implants do not result in, nor are they equal replacements for normal hearing. People who use cochlear implants will perceive sound at a loudness that is quieter than typical hearing and they will be significantly at a disadvantage when listening in noisy situations and at a distance. Of course vocabulary deficits, attention issues, and any area of educational delay will impact how well a person performs with a cochlear implant, regardless of how well or how clearly they “hear.”

  • • • 1, 4, 8, 12 and 20 channel cochlear implant simulations for speech and music        Source: The Hearing Journal published an article by Patrick M. Zurek and Joseph G. Desloge (of Sensimetrics Corporation) in its July 2007 issue entitled “Hearing loss and prosthesis simulation in audiology”.
      • For an interesting video simulation of the advancements in cochlear implants, including improvements in speech understanding view this video.
      • Simulation of listening with a cochlear implant to speech and to music – video
      • More sophisticated than some of the others, the AngelSim cochlear implant hearing loss simulator allows you to select speech processing strategies and then audio samples so that what you hear may be much more similar to a particular student’s experience than more generic CI simulations.
      • Cochlear Implant Simulation on Speech and How I Feel About my Implant (reuploaded)[CC] video

  Updated October 2023

The post Demonstrations: Simulated Listening with Hearing Loss & Devices first appeared on Supporting Success For Children With Hearing Loss.