Acoustics in 29 sports halls measured

Physical Education (PE) teachers risk noise-induced hearing loss and other health problems due to high sound levels. The acoustic conditions in the sports hall are a potential factor of influence. However, no literature was found that confirms the relationship between occupational noise levels and acoustic conditions. Therefore, the acoustic conditions of 29 different sports halls have been measured during a multidisciplinary research project in the Netherlands on noise in sports halls focusing on specialist PE teachers in primary schools. Reverberation Time T20, Sound Strength G and Speech Transmission Index STI are evaluated and compared to Room Volume, Equivalent Absorption Area and Average Absorption Coefficient. A clear relationship between Sound Strength and Equivalent Absorption Area is found as can be explained by diffuse sound field theory, even though the rectangular room shapes cause flutter echo behavior (not diffuse). Also, Speech Transmission Index and Average Absorption Coefficient show a relationship. In 7 sports halls, reflection studies have been conducted using an acoustic camera as a new method to visualize reflective, absorptive and diffusive properties of materials in the hall. Results are presented in this paper. Future research will focus on measuring occupational noise levels in the sports halls to investigate the relationship between sound levels in the same sports halls in use and acoustic conditions. The end goal of the project is to inform Physical Education (PE) teachers how they can protect their hearing during class.