This study conducted by Hear the world, and which solicited nearly 500 students from France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the United States, highlights the fact that middle school and high school students feel distracted , irritated and stressed by strong noise pollution during lessons. In addition, the use of MP3 players at sound levels dangerous for their hearing!
60 decibels in class
In the classroom, noise pollution often comes from multiple sources, which is difficult to manage: student activity, sound emanating from school equipment such as computers and projectors, sounds coming from neighboring classes or even coming from air conditioning and heating systems. cooling. With an average sound level of 60 decibels in classrooms, students have difficulty understanding their teachers, whose hearing range is estimated at 65 decibels on average.
With a high and constant background noise, it is very difficult for students with or without hearing problems, to follow the lessons. The result is reduced attention and motivation.
MP3 players involved
Noise in classrooms is not the only reason for teens’ hearing loss. Indeed, a growing number of young people actively expose their hearing to high sound levels during their free time. Although MP3 players are not the only culprits, they are one of the causes of hearing problems affecting a significant proportion of French adolescents.
According to the hear the world study, 55% of 14-19 year olds listen to music on their MP3 or mobile phone for more than 3 hours a day, at least 5 to 6 days a week! In addition, 8 in 10 teens listen to their MP3 more than 50% above the average volume and 51% push the volume up to 70% louder than the tolerable volume.
A website www.hear-the-world.com is therefore at their disposal so that they can test their hearing online and learn when “strong” becomes “too strong”.
