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Does classroom amplification aid comprehension?

Many classrooms are noisy and this interferes with listening and teaching. FM soundfield (FM) amplification systems have been developed which provide a uniform soundfield throughout the classroom and increase the speech-signal:noise ratio. The effect on comprehension of such a system was investigated. Forty-nine pupils (comprising the two top classes of a mainstream primary school) participated in this study, with a mean age of 9.92 years (range 8.58-11.42 years). The Neale Analysis of Reading Ability (Neale, 1988a, b) was modified and administered as a spoken comprehension test. Tests of nonverbal intelligence, auditory memory and a questionnaire were given. The passages spoken though the FM amplification system were understood better than the comparable unamplified passages. Auditory memory, sex and non-verbal intelligence had no effect on improved comprehension. FM amplification significantly improved comprehension and could be considered for use in other schools.