80% of teachers are stressed by noise
Schools have become much noisier in recent years, with the number of complaints about this steadily increasing. In 1999, a study by the ISF (Institute for Interdisciplinary School Research) of the University of Bremen, with about 1,200 teachers participating, gave a very clear picture of the stress factors that arise in schools.
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When questioned, more than 80% of teachers1 admitted experiencing stress caused by pupil noise. (see the chart below)
As a result of the above findings, one year later the German Federal Institute of Occupational Health was commissioned to carry out an extensive research project on "Noise in educational establishments". Observations from more than 570 lessons showed an average classroom sound pressure level (SPL) of approximately 65 dB(A). Levels that are this high mean that communication can be extremely difficult or even impossible.
Read more about the links found between noise and stress in the study Good acoustics lower heart rates.
The above studies are featured in a downloadable brochure, “Impact of noise in education - A research summary” we created, which highlights a small selection of studies. These studies were featured as part of a report by Professor Bridget Shield who gathered studies from around the world as part of an extensive literature review.
Reference:
1 Acoustic ergonomics of school. Tiesler & Oberdöster 2006. Read more about this study in “Modern School Acoustics” here.