Schools

Recent studies have drawn attention to the less than acceptable acoustical conditions that exist in many educational facilities, including primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions. Educational environments are affected by exterior noise such as that generated by airline and automobile traffic, and interior noise, such as that transmitted from corridors, classrooms, air-handling systems and inappropriately located building services equipment. These issues are intensified by the hard wall, ceiling and floor materials used in most schools, which lead to echoing and high reverberation times.

The detrimental impact of noise on learning is cumulative. Over time, if children cannot hear their teacher, they can demonstrate difficulty in speech recognition; reading ability and comprehension; learning motivation and long-term memory.

As a general rule, classrooms might not benefit from the installation of a sound masking system because it would further decrease students’ ability to hear their teacher. But sound masking is an effective treatment in areas that require both noise control and speech privacy, such as administrative and counseling offices, staff rooms, libraries, computer and health centers, research laboratories, student unions and residential halls.

Partial Client List

• Katherine Gibbs School
• Lake Arrowhead School District
• Fanshawe College
• Northwestern University
• University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus