NOISE IN SCHOOLS. A SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO IMPROVE ACOUSTIC COMFORT

Noise in schools is a serious problem, suffered daily by lots of students and teachers. It affects teaching and learning, makes pupils concentration difficult and verbal communication unclear. In addition, noise produces discomforts and even pathological symptoms, particularly to people with hearing devices or with specific behavioural problems. Nevertheless, both media and institutions in charge of managing school facilities do not seem to take it into proper account.
This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the problem, considering different types of noise in school, as well as those conditions producing or amplifying them. This work is based on the outcomes of a field research in middle schools that enlightened the noise to be one of the main issues involving school users.
In conclusion, it discusses the need of the integration of different strategies and the development of multi-level interventions as a proper manner to successfully pursue the acoustic comfort improvement in existing schools.