A comparison of the effects of soundfield amplification on acoustical characteristics and word recognition performance in relocatable and permanent classrooms

There are three acoustical characteristics that should be addressed when developing a good classroom listening environment: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reverberation time (RT), and levels of background noise. Previous research has shown that soundfield (SF) amplification systems help to improve these three characteristics, thus improving the classroom listening environment. In the present study, two seventh-grade classrooms were used: one relocatable classroom and one permanent classroom. Acoustical characteristics and speech levels were measured in both classrooms under two amplification conditions (unamplified and amplified). Word recognition abilities of 37 students were also measured under the two amplification conditions in both classrooms. Results showed neither classroom met the standards for optimal acoustics; however, SNRs were increased in both classrooms with the use of soundfield amplification. Additionally, the word recognition scores (WRS) of the children in the relocatable classroom were significantly worse under both amplification conditions than in the permanent classroom; WRS, however, increased when amplification was used compared to when it was not used. The results revealed the benefits of utilizing soundfield amplification systems in both classrooms, especially relocatable classrooms. Clinical implications are also discussed