Teachers’ Noise Sensitivity and Efforts to Prevent Noise Pollution in School

Abstract

The noise phenomenon at school is one of the factors that may negatively affect school climate. Purpose In this study, the noise sensitivity and coping efforts of classroom teachers who intensely experienced noise phenomenon in their school were determined using basic qualitative research. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teachers selected for the study group. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that loud noise at school might lead to hypersensitivity in teachers, migraine and prolonged severe headache, difficulty in communicating, tinnitus, difficulty in focusing on lessons, adverse effects on communication and interaction within the family, excessive tiredness and getting distracted, and a reduced tolerance limit, as well as feeling tired and angry. The findings suggest that teachers are in search of a quiet environmentto get away from the noise in the school. They reluctantly try to get used to the noise, and they think of retiring early from the profession. It was understood that teachers acted in various ways to cope with the noise, such as verbally warning noisy students, plugging their ears, closing the door/windows, and going out to the schoolyard to get away from the noise inside the building. Implications the teachers suggested improving the acoustics of the school, using visual stimuli with lights instead of bell sounds, raising the awareness of parents about noise and arranging the schoolyard in such a way that students can release their energies without causing noise.