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Free Tool · Walk-Through Screen

Classroom Acoustics Observation Form

A printable walk-through screening form for educational audiologists, SLPs, special education teams, and administrators. Use it before formal acoustic measurement to identify rooms that warrant a closer look. Adapted from C. D. Johnson (2023).

How to use: Fill out the form on screen, or print a blank copy and complete it during a classroom visit. A "yes" answer on either checklist is an indicator that the room may need formal acoustic assessment. After observation, use the RT60 calculator to estimate reverberation time from the room's dimensions and surfaces.

Note on handling: Printed and saved-as-PDF copies of this form may contain identifiable student information — treat them according to your district's FERPA and HIPAA policies. Do not email completed forms unencrypted.

Classroom Acoustics Observation

Colorado Ears. Educational Audiology · coloradoears.com

Purpose: A classroom observation is a preparatory step for making classroom acoustics measurements. The observation provides information about the acoustic parameters of the classroom as well as the style of instruction, seating arrangement, and the status of communication access. If indicators are present, the situation should be referred to the educational audiologist for further assessment.

Privacy note: If completing this form for a specific student, use initials or a case identifier rather than the student's full name. Follow your district's FERPA and HIPAA policies for handling completed forms.

Time

Room Profile

Capture the room's occupants, dimensions, layout, and any sound-level meter readings — for later recall and one-click handoff to the RT60 calculator. All fields here are optional; fill what you have.

Occupants typically present
Room dimensions (optional)
Room volume — enter dimensions
Send to RT60 calculator

Opens in a new tab — your form stays open here.

Sound-level meter measurements (optional)

If you have a Type 2 SLM (or the free NIOSH SLM app), record ambient and occupied dBA. Take a 1-hour average where possible, or the average of three short-term readings at typical student locations.

ANSI/ASA S12.60 (≤ 35 dBA unoccupied) Enter unoccupied reading
Differential (occupied − unoccupied) — enter both values

Scale: 1 grid square ≈ 2 ft  ·  1 major square ≈ 10 ft  ·  sketch area ≈ 40 × 28 ft

Teacher position
Student seat / desk
Door
Window
Microphone / CADS speaker
Rug or soft surface
Whiteboard / screen
Target student seat
Classroom style
Seating arrangement

Background Noise

Listen in the unoccupied classroom and rate each noise source: None · Mild · Moderate · Severe. Add a note if context helps (time of day, equipment type, etc.). The summary at the bottom updates as you fill in answers.

Interior sources
HVAC (heating and ventilation) system
Mechanical equipment must be turned off during important lessons
Other classrooms, learning spaces, or hallways (with HVAC off)
Exterior sources
Playground
Automobile traffic
Air traffic
Background Noise Summary
— complete the rows above
Awaiting input

Fill in severity ratings above to see a risk assessment.

Reverberation

Reverberation time is determined by room volume and surface absorption. Rate each condition: None · Mild · Moderate · Severe. The summary below classifies overall risk based on your ratings.

Ceiling
Flat, hard ceiling without acoustic tiles
Ceiling height over 11 feet
Acoustic ceiling tiles have been painted (reduces absorption)
Walls
Sound-reflective walls (plasterboard, concrete, wood paneling)
Floors
Sound-reflective floors (concrete, tile, wood)
Reverberation Summary
— complete the rows above
Awaiting input

Fill in severity ratings above to see a risk assessment.

Hearing Assistive Technology

Identify any personal amplification (student's own devices) and any classroom-level HAT system in use. Mark per-ear (R / L) for personal devices.

Personal amplification (student's own devices)
Device R L
Hearing aid
Bone conduction
Cochlear implant
Classroom HAT system
Model
Number of students using classroom HAT

Teaching & Communication

Teacher to listener distance
  
Primary instruction style
Adapted by Colorado Ears for educational use.
Source: C. D. Johnson (2023), adapted from C. D. Johnson, D. Ostergren & J. Smaldino (2010), from Acoustic measurements in classrooms by J. Smaldino, C. Crandell, & B. Kreisman (2005), in Sound Field Amplification, Crandell, Smaldino & Flexer (Eds.), p. 131. Thomson Delmar Learning.
Reference standard: ANSI/ASA S12.60-2010. When indicators are present on either checklist, refer to an educational audiologist for further assessment.
Next step: estimate the room's RT60 Once observation indicates a room warrants closer attention, use the Classroom Acoustics Calculator to estimate reverberation time from the room's dimensions and surface materials, and to compare it against the ANSI/ASA, Enhanced (UDL), and Optimal targets.
Open the calculator
Get in Touch

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Colorado Ears performs full classroom acoustic assessments — RT60, ambient noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and written recommendations — for school districts and charter schools across Colorado.

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