A Study on the Listening Environment in Schools for the Inclusive Education of Students with Hearing Impairments

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the listening environment for students with hearing impairments in inclusive education, providing fundamental data for establishing performance standards and improving classroom listening environments for these students. Methods: The teacher’s voice signal, classroom noise, and reverberation time were measured and analyzed in general classrooms, special education classrooms, and gymnasiums from 10 elementary schools where students with hearing impairments receive inclusive education. Results: The average equivalent noise level in the general classrooms was 56.8 dBA, and it was 53.4 dBA in the special education classrooms. The signal-to-noise ratio was +12.3 dB in the general classrooms, +15.7 dB in the special education classrooms, and +5.1 dB in the gymnasiums. The reverberation time was 0.4 seconds in the general classrooms, 0.5 seconds in the special education classrooms, and 0.8 seconds in the gymnasiums. Conclusion: Currently, it can be difficult for students with hearing impairments to effectively listen in inclusive educational environments. Therefore, improvements are needed to create better listening conditions.