Are schools too noisy ?

The noise in schools is a real problem that affects both students and the educational staff working there (teachers, educators, etc.). Noise pollution in schools is often underestimated. This article presents the loudest moments and places in a school and the solutions available to improve quality of life.

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More than 90 decibels in the playground !

Sitting for 8 hours on a chair listening to a teacher can seem tedious for many students. Breaks are the moments when students can let off steam. The decibels quickly rise to reach high intensity levels in the playgrounds, which can reach up to 90 decibels. This is the loudest moment and place in schools. For comparison, 90 dB is equivalent to the sound intensity of a lawnmower or a sander.

Brussels Environment* has published a scale of noise levels measured in schools. According to this scale, the gymnasium is the second loudest place with sound levels measured at 80 decibels. Next are the cafeteria and group work in the classroom with a sound intensity of over 70 decibels.

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9. Pain threshold - 120 dB

8. Shouting in the playground - 80-90 dB

7. Gymnasium - 75-80 dB

6. Cafeteria - 75 dB

5. Group work - 65-70 dB

4. In-class lessons - 60 dB

3. Library - 40 dB

2. Whispers - 40 dB

1. Nap - 30 dB

In addition to sound levels, the duration of sound exposure is an important factor in assessing risks. A second graph created by Brussels Environment* shows the average exposure time to noise levels in primary schools. It is observed that students and educational staff are subjected to constant noise exposure (from 60 decibels during classes to nearly 90 decibels during recess). The average noise level measured over a day exceeds 65dB.

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What are the consequences for teachers and students?

The sound intensities measured are significantly higher than the recommended standards by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to effects on hearing (hearing loss and tinnitus), repeated exposure to these sound intensities increases tension (and therefore cardiac risks), stress, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Furthermore, for students, noise can lead to behavioral disorders (aggression, hyperactivity) and a decrease in concentration. On the side of teachers and educational staff, excessive noise requires raising the voice to be heard, leading to a risk of voice damage.

By reducing noise pollution in schools, communications will be richer, and concentration will be improved. This will help preserve everyone's health.

What are the solutions ?

Construction: It is essential to design schools with acoustic considerations in mind during construction or building renovations to ensure that occupants are provided with a sound environment conducive to learning. The specifications should account for both internal and external noise acoustics.
Space Management & Organization: It is possible to rearrange spaces and improve organization to reduce the number of students present in specific areas (such as playgrounds or cafeterias). Some schools create well-defined moments in the classroom: a calm atmosphere for exercises and a festive atmosphere for birthdays, for example. Another solution is to modify furniture (placing rubber under chairs and tables, for instance) and choose quieter equipment.
Education: It is important to raise awareness about the daily noise levels to which students and educational staff are exposed. For example, organizing discussion sessions with students to determine their feelings about noise (using colored stickers, for instance) can be useful. Some schools use sound metering applications, which allow students to understand the noise levels they are exposed to each day.
Hearing Protection: An increasingly common trend in kindergarten and primary schools is the use of hearing protection by educational staff. Custom-made earplugs help reduce noise while preserving optimal listening and communication quality. Since each ear is unique, these plugs are tailor-made to fit perfectly in each ear canal. Some health insurance schemes reimburse the cost of custom earplugs, up to €50 in some cases.