Acoustical analysis of infant/toddler rooms in daycare centers

The purpose of this ongoing research is to determine ambient noise levels, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and RTs in daycare centers. To date, 248 measures of ambient noise levels have been obtained in occupied infant/toddler rooms of 11 daycare centers and 109 measures in 7 of the 11 daycares unoccupied. The mean occupied levels were 57 dBA and 66 dBC and the mean unoccupied levels were 38 dBA and 56 dBC. A 1/3 OB analysis revealed that the occupied levels were relatively constant (46–50 dB) from 63 to 2000 Hz while the unoccupied levels decreased as frequency increased especially after 125 Hz. Using several different speech spectrums compared with the occupied 1/3 OB levels, estimated SNRs ranged from −3 to 12 dB. Dosimeter measurements (N=932) revealed that the occupied daycares had an average peak sound level of 103 dB, high-threshold level of 62.5 dB, time-weighted average of 55.9 dB, and noise dose of 1.3%. Additional noise measurements and RTs are currently being collected. Overall, the unoccupied dBA levels and the estimated SNRs were less than recommended in the ASHA 1995 guidelines for classroom acoustics. [Work supported by PHS/NIH (1-R01-HD31540-01A2) Otitis Media, Behavior and Attention in Daycare.]