Abstract
This investigation was concerned with the speech levels of both teachers and pupils in schools for the deaf and in units for partially-hearing children (PHUs) and with the levels of background noise found in these establishments. Twelve classes in 5 schools for the deaf and 8 PHUs were included in this study. The average speech level of the teachers, measured at 2 metres distance, was 57.5 dBA (range, 40–70 dBA) and that of the pupils was 52.9 dBA (range, 45–67 dBA). The levels of background noise measured were unacceptably high varying from 44.6 dBA (average level of quasi-stationary noise) to 76.5 dBA (average level of short-duration noise). It was concluded that the acoustic environments prevailing in these schools and units were not conducive to good hearing aid use and suggestions for improvements were put forward.