title: Evaluating effectiveness of dynamic soundfield system in the classroom.
abstract: Research has reported on the use of soundfield amplification devices in the classroom. However, no study has used standardized tests to determine the potential advantages of the dynamic soundfield system for normally hearing students and for the teacher's voice. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of using dynamic soundfield system on the noise of the classroom, teacher's voice and students' academic performance. This was a prospective cohort study in which 20 student participants enrolled in the third year of basic education were divided into two groups (i.e., control and experimental); their teacher participated. The experimental group was exposed to the dynamic soundfield system for 3 consecutive months. The groups were assessed using standardized tests to evaluate their academic performance. Further, questionnaires and statements were collected on the participants' experience of using the soundfield system. We statistically analyzed the results to compare the academic performance of the control group with that of the experimental group. In all cases, a significance level of P < .05 was adopted. Use of the dynamic soundfield system was effective for improving the students' academic performance on standardized tests for reading, improving the teacher's speech intelligibility, and reducing the teacher's vocal strain. The dynamic soundfield system minimizes the impact of noise in the classroom as demonstrated by the mensuration of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and pupil performance on standardized tests for reading and student and teacher ratings of amplification system effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Duarte
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: da Cruz
authors.forename: Kelly Cristina
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Alves Silvério
authors.forename: Aline Roberta Aceituno
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Da Costa
authors.forename: Adriane Lima Mortari
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Moret
authors.forename: José Roberto Pereira
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lauris
authors.forename: Regina Tangerino
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: de Souza Jacob
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000669:Amplifiers, Electronic; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching