The impact of improved classroom acoustics on autistic students
Published
January 2020
This project asked the question: does sound field amplification support primary school students on the autism spectrum in the classroom?
Sound field amplification (SFA) systems typically consist of a microphone and transmitter worn by the teacher and a receiver and speaker placed in the classroom. When functioning optimally, SFA projects the teacher’s voice evenly to all parts of the classroom. Students can spend up to 60% of the school day listening to their teacher and classmates. They often have to do this in noisy classrooms. SFA could put children in a better position to learn by making it easier to hear the teacher. This could allow some students to transition from struggling to hear to being able to listen.