Education
Classroom Acoustic Panels
for Schools
Clearer speech, better concentration and quieter classrooms. Acoustic design that helps teachers teach and students learn.
The Problem
Noise Is the Invisible Barrier to Learning
Most classrooms were never designed with acoustics in mind. Hard floors, bare walls, and exposed ceilings create reflective surfaces that amplify every sound. Background noise from HVAC systems, corridors, and adjacent rooms compounds the issue. The result is a space where students struggle to hear their teacher and concentration breaks down within minutes.
In typical South African classrooms, concrete floors, plaster walls, and metal roof sheeting create a highly reverberant environment. These hard surfaces reflect sound repeatedly, compounding the problem in rooms that were built for durability rather than acoustic comfort.
With class sizes often large, reverberation times can exceed one second, far beyond the 0.6-second threshold where speech intelligibility begins to deteriorate.
Impact on Teachers
The Hidden Cost of Poor Acoustics
Teachers in reverberant classrooms instinctively raise their voices to be heard. Over a full school day, this leads to vocal strain, fatigue, and in many cases chronic voice disorders. Research shows that teachers are among the highest-risk professions for voice-related health issues, and poor room acoustics are a primary contributor.
Reducing reverberation means teachers can speak at a natural volume and still be understood clearly throughout the room. The result is less physical strain, more energy for teaching, and a calmer classroom environment for everyone.
of speech can be lost in an untreated classroom
Source: Acoustical Society of America
The Research
What the Evidence Says
“Students in noisy classrooms may miss up to 25% of what their teacher says.”
- Acoustical Society of America
“A 10-decibel reduction in background noise improved speech recognition scores in primary school children by up to 25 percentage points.”
- Bradley & Sato, 2008, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
“Poor classroom acoustics disproportionately affect children with learning disabilities, non-native language speakers, and younger students whose auditory processing is still developing.”
- Crandell & Smaldino, 2000, Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
“Reverberation times above 0.6 seconds in classrooms significantly reduce speech intelligibility, particularly for students seated beyond the third row.”
- Klatte, Lachmann & Meis, 2010, Noise & Health
The Solution
Why Aura Felt Works in Schools
Aura Felt PET acoustic panels are designed to meet the specific demands of educational environments: high performance, safety compliance, and a finish that enhances the space rather than compromising it.
Before & After
Untreated vs Treated Classroom
- Sound bounces off hard surfaces
- Reverberation time > 1.0s
- Speech clarity drops beyond row 3
- Teacher raises voice to compensate
- Panels absorb reflected sound
- Reverberation time < 0.6s
- Speech clarity across the full room
- Teacher speaks at natural volume
Installation Examples
Acoustic Solutions for Education
Classroom Ceiling Panels
Acoustic panels mounted directly to the classroom ceiling improve speech clarity from the front of the room. Teachers are heard more clearly and students stay focused longer.
Library Baffles
Colour-matched baffles in a school library create quiet study zones while adding visual interest. The open design maintains airflow and natural light throughout the space.
Dainfern College Junior Prep’s Imaginarium
At Dainfern College Junior Prep’s Imaginarium, suspended Aura Felt acoustic ceiling clouds were installed to transform the sound environment of the shared learning and cafeteria space. Large-format panels were strategically positioned to target the most reflective ceiling surfaces where noise builds up fastest.
The installation reduced the reverberation time by approximately one second, dramatically improving speech clarity across the space. Teachers can communicate more effectively, students remain focused for longer, and the room maintains a calm acoustic balance even during busy periods.
By absorbing excess reflections without blocking natural light or airflow, the acoustic ceiling clouds create a more controlled and supportive learning environment designed for focus, collaboration, and everyday school life.
Safety & Sustainability
Designed for Safe Learning Environments
Fire Rated
Certified for interior use in schools and public buildings
Low VOC
Minimal volatile organic compound emissions for healthy air quality
Non-Toxic
Safe materials suitable for classrooms and enclosed spaces
Lightweight
Easy to install on walls and ceilings without structural reinforcement
Recycled PET
Recycled polyester fibres, an environmentally responsible choice
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Other Applications
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Ready to Improve Your Classroom Acoustics?
Let us assess your learning environment and recommend the right acoustic solution. From classrooms to lecture halls, we design for better learning.
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