Investigating the effect of intrusive noise levels on speech perception in an open-plan kindergarten classroom

Open-plan classrooms have higher intrusive noise levels than enclosed classrooms. This case study assessed the impact of intrusive noise in an open-plan classroom on children’s speech perception. Twenty-two children participated in an online four-picture choice speech perception task while other classes completed both quiet and noisy activities. Children’s performance accuracy, including number of responses, and speed was lower when other classes engaged in noisy compared to quiet activities. Children’s speech perception abilities also decreased the further away they were seated from the loudspeaker. These results raise the question of whether open-plan classrooms provide an appropriate learning environment for young children.