Students often look forward to their break-time in school because of various reasons. Firstly, as they can meet their friends across various grades and chat over their favorite cartoon/movie episodes and also fill their tummies with some amazing food.
Break time also acts like beating the monotony for them. As they are other times much involved in academic learning.
The same is the case with the teachers. In their break time, they too require a rejuvenating experience.
Studies have also shown that to savor food completely & for better digestion, one’s five senses must be completely present while having food, namely:
- Sight
- Smell
- Touch
- Taste
- Sound
Notably, Sound also is a very important sense while savoring a meal to the fullest. From the sound of breaking bread to chewing, swallowing, etc. contributes to this sense. These may be also termed as natural sounds while eating. The problem arises when the natural sounds are suppressed by the unnatural sounds, which is in turn the noise created in the room by poor acoustic treatment.
The underlying question still remains- Are students & teachers really able to get the best out of this break time?
In most cases, the answer sadly remains No. The reason being canteens/cafeterias have high sound pressure levels. The major factors that contribute to the noise are:
- A large no of students talking with each other
- Cutlery/tiffin/table/chair noise
- Fan/AC noise etc
As far as it goes, one may have very little control over the factors that contribute to the noise. But surely the environment can be altered in a way that will reduce the sound pressure level. Most of the time canteen spaces are not prioritized in having good acoustics. Whereas it is one such space that needs to be really thought well off when it comes to acoustics.
The solution is not that complex – Install complete wall-to-wall high absorbing Class A acoustic ceilings and cladding at least 20% of the floor area with acoustic wall panels on any of the nearest wall surfaces, if feasible. Class A sound-absorbing systems will absorb about 90% of the sound that would hit on the material, thereby ensuring reduced echo and noise.
The results of which will be:
- Lower stress levels in teachers/students
- Higher productivity
- Enjoying the meal without high background noise
There is less weightage provided to acoustics, currently in the Indian market. In most cases, stakeholders aren’t aware that there is a solution to the problem of noise and it isn’t too complicated either. While auditoriums, classrooms, and other areas have their own importance, the canteen/ cafeteria spaces cannot be neglected for sure!
The high NRC acoustic solutions by Ecophon can help transform a noisy room into a much calmer one. Acoustics contribute to a better working environment where people work and communicate.
To know more log on to: –
www.ecophon.in
Harshal Kolwankar
(Concept Development Manager)
Ecophon Group
About Ecophon Group:
Ecophon Group develops, manufactures, and markets acoustic products and systems for ceilings and walls. Used all over the world, they meet the growing demand for good acoustics with a focus on offices, education, and health care premises. Ecophon contributes to a better working environment— wherever people work and communicate. The company is based in Sweden & it’s a part of the global Saint-Gobain.
Group www.ecophon.in
When we speak, we push air from our lungs through the neck via the vocal cords, which in turn vibrate and create sound. The sound continues on via the nasal cavity and oral cavity, creating sound waves that are released into the room. These sound waves are received by someone’s ears via the outer ear to the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical impulses. These continue to the brain, where the receiver hears. What is heard is not just a voice, however, but also what the room does to the voice of the sender. If the speech is interesting, the receiver hopefully starts listening, and if the acoustical conditions around the speaker are good, you are likely to remember more of what is said.
Teachers and students have three wishes in relation to sound and noise in classrooms. They want: