Noise Levels in Malaysia primary schools: are we meeting the international standards?

Ismail, Noraidah and Karim, Khairnai and Othman, Nur Ain (2020) Noise Levels in Malaysia primary schools: are we meeting the international standards? International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 4 (2). pp. 1139-1150. E-ISSN 2600-8491

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Abstract

Noise is increasingly becoming a problem in schools and affects the audibility of speech. The effects of noise hamper learning opportunities for students. Noisy classrooms affect students’ academic performance and wellbeing. Studies have shown that children perform more poorly in noisy situations compared to adults. The current study was done to measure noise levels in classrooms in primary schools in Kuantan. A total of 31 classrooms from eight residential primary schools were selected as the place of study. The noise levels were measured using a sound level meter (SLM) in occupied and unoccupied conditions. On-site observations and checking were done and documented in each school and classroom. The results showed that the noise levels of occupied and unoccupied classrooms were higher than the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) which are 35 dB(A) and 55 dB(A) respectively. The findings showed that the measured noise levels in the classrooms were high enough that it might interfere the effectiveness of teaching and learning among students and teachers. The source of noise was mainly from the students’ activities in the classes. The current study discusses a few possible suggestions to improve the classroom acoustics.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	5179/82123
Uncontrolled Keywords:	classroom noise, classroom acoustics, primary school, occupied classroom, unoccupied classrooms
Subjects:	R Medicine > RF Otorhinolaryngology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr Noraidah Ismail
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2020 16:06
Last Modified:	12 Aug 2020 16:06
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/82123

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