Classroom Acoustic Measurements

Crandell, Carl C. Ph.D.
Smaldino, Joseph J. Ph.D.
Kreisman, Brian M. Ph.D.

¹Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders/Institute of the Advanced Study of Communication Processes, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
²Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Address for correspondence and reprint requests: Carl C. Crandell, Ph.D., University of Florida, 352A Dauer Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611. E-mail: [email protected].

Seminars in Hearing 25(2):p 189-200, May 2004.

The audiologist is often called upon to identify whether or not classroom acoustic conditions are appropriate for listening and learning. This article provides an overview of the methods that can be used by the audiologist to document acoustic conditions in a classroom. Specifically, procedures that can be used to establish signal-to-noise ratio, background noise level, and reverberation time are considered. Finally, typical recommendations to improve classroom acoustic conditions are discussed.