Lost in space: Open-plan classrooms can leave children adrift

We all know that talking and listening in large, noisy spaces (like restaurants, shopping centres or concert venues) is tough. Trying to piece together snippets of conversation with background noise is frustrating, exhausting and a definite barrier to communication.

Hearing and understanding speech in background noise is especially difficult for children under 10 years whose auditory systems are still developing and who don’t yet have the language skills to ‘fill-the-gaps’ when they only hear part of what’s said.