Schools are confronted with multiple audio issues affecting their teachers and students.

A 1995 study by the General Accounting Office (GAO) found noise to be the single most prevalent problem in American schools. The Centers for Disease Control estimates up to 15% of the school age population have permanent hearing loss. As administrators strive to meet NCLB goals, they must also address groups with diverse needs such as ELL, ESL and Special Education students. Teachers need to convey audio information to students in all of these groups in a clear, concise manner.

Given that children have not yet cultivated listening skills like adults have such as blocking out background noise, they require a better signal-to-noise ratio for enhanced hearing and comprehension. However, if the subject matter is unfamiliar or competing environmental noises are too distracting, students aren’t going to be able to listen and focus on what is being said.

Califone offers two different systems for audio enhanced classrooms to help overcome such issues which can make listening difficult for any listener. Our proven PresentationPro delivers a 30 Watt RMS sound suitable for audio and music classroom amplification of any size with quality sound from a traditional speaker system.

Our Classroom Infrared System will change how classrooms function, how teachers teach and how students learn through two key features. Califone has eliminated interference and enhanced reception by doubling the amount of ceiling sensors found in a traditionally sized classroom. Twice the number of sensors as other systems means better coverage. The second enhancement which the Classroom Infrared System brings is the introduction of “array” speaker technology to classroom audio. Array speakers (such as what’s seen in concert halls) produce a different sound pattern than traditional ceiling speakers. Instead of their broad indiscriminate pattern, Califone array speakers create a narrow band of sound that is focused directly at the students. By not bouncing random and confusing sound off the walls and windows, the array sound pattern improves the critical signal to noise ratio with its more focused and concise message while only marginally adding to already elevated background noise levels.

If students can hear they can learn.