Acoustical Barriers to Learning: Children at Risk in Every Classroom

There are surprisingly large numbers of children with various auditory disorders in the schools. Their classrooms are often noisy, reverberant, and active places of learning. For these children, their auditory problems plus the poor classroom acoustics cause significant learning problems. Poor listening conditions can affect all children, but they affect those with auditory disorders more. Improving classroom acoustics can significantly reduce the negative educational impact of auditory disorders. This article reviews relevant literature on acoustical barriers to successful learning and provides guidance for school personnel making decisions regarding classroom facilities.