The sound of study: Student experiences of listening in the university soundscape

• The students from three universities (Groningen, Oldenburg and the University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht) were surveyed on the experi- ence of hearing and listening in their studies. Included in the online survey were established questionnaires on hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, a subscale on psychosocial strain resulting from impaired hearing and a questionnaire about students’ perceptions of listening ease in study envi- ronments. Results from the 10,466 students who completed the survey (13% response rate) are highlighted, with particular attention to listening ease and measures proposed by students for improving it. The number of students having problems with hearing and listening transpires to be sub- stantially larger when research is not constrained to students with a recog- nised hearing impairment, suggesting that listening is primarily a sociocultural performance and achievement rather than an artefact of physical attributes. One finding from our survey is that classroom prac- tices could be more effective if study soundscapes are improved, while universities might exercise greater inclusive responsibility for study as a high quality sensory experience for the benefit of all students.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

higher education

access and accessibility

functionally impaired students

hearing loss and deafness

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)