Noise in the Classroom: Understanding the Problem PDF

Most of today’s air-conditioned school classrooms are too noisy. Newer school classrooms all too often are built with HVAC units that are selected on the basis of lowest first cost with insufficient regard to overall system quality, durability, optimum air distribution, and acceptable background noise levels. When noise levels are too high, the result is reduced speech intelligibility and a reduction in the overall learning capacity of the students. The problem is not one of technical capability; it is one of awareness, understanding and priorities.