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The Impact of Classroom Soundfield Systems on Reading Fluency in Normal-Hearing Students

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Title: The Impact of Classroom Soundfield Systems on Reading Fluency in Normal-Hearing Students
Language: English
Authors: Lucy Shiels, Peter Carew, Dani Tomlin, Gary Rance
Source: npj Science of Learning. 2025 10.
Availability: Nature Portfolio. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://www.nature.com/npjscilearn/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Early Childhood Education
Grade 3
Primary Education
Grade 4
Intermediate Grades
Descriptors: Classroom Environment, Acoustics, Reading Fluency, Hearing (Physiology), Elementary School Students, Grade 3, Grade 4, Reading Tests, Cognitive Ability, Intelligence, Auditory Perception, Short Term Memory, Auditory Discrimination, Attention, Predictor Variables, Intelligence Quotient
DOI: 10.1038/s41539-025-00350-1
ISSN: 2056-7936
Abstract: This study investigated the impact of soundfield amplification (SFA) on reading fluency in normal-hearing students (n = 84) aged 8-10 years. Twenty-three grade 3 and 4 classes participated across three academic terms, alternating between SFA-On and SFA-Off conditions. Reading fluency was assessed using the Wheldall Assessment of Reading Passages. Baseline cognitive abilities, including non-verbal intelligence, auditory working memory, speech discrimination in noise, and attention, were also evaluated. Results showed no significant overall difference in reading fluency development between SFA-On and SFA-Off conditions. However, intelligence was mildly predictive of the reading fluency advantage obtained during SFA-On periods, with lower-IQ students benefiting more from amplification. The study's findings suggest that while SFA may not provide universal academic benefits for all students, it may offer advantages to students with lower cognitive abilities, suggesting it is a valuable support for the many classrooms that do not meet recommended acoustic standards.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1481588
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Impact of Classroom Soundfield Systems on Reading Fluency in Normal-Hearing Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucy+Shiels%22">Lucy Shiels</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Peter+Carew%22">Peter Carew</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dani+Tomlin%22">Dani Tomlin</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gary+Rance%22">Gary Rance</searchLink>
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  Data: Nature Portfolio. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://www.nature.com/npjscilearn/
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Classroom+Environment%22">Classroom Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Acoustics%22">Acoustics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Fluency%22">Reading Fluency</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hearing+%28Physiology%29%22">Hearing (Physiology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+3%22">Grade 3</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+4%22">Grade 4</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Tests%22">Reading Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Ability%22">Cognitive Ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intelligence%22">Intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Auditory+Perception%22">Auditory Perception</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Short+Term+Memory%22">Short Term Memory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Auditory+Discrimination%22">Auditory Discrimination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attention%22">Attention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Predictor+Variables%22">Predictor Variables</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intelligence+Quotient%22">Intelligence Quotient</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1038/s41539-025-00350-1
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  Data: 2056-7936
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study investigated the impact of soundfield amplification (SFA) on reading fluency in normal-hearing students (n = 84) aged 8-10 years. Twenty-three grade 3 and 4 classes participated across three academic terms, alternating between SFA-On and SFA-Off conditions. Reading fluency was assessed using the Wheldall Assessment of Reading Passages. Baseline cognitive abilities, including non-verbal intelligence, auditory working memory, speech discrimination in noise, and attention, were also evaluated. Results showed no significant overall difference in reading fluency development between SFA-On and SFA-Off conditions. However, intelligence was mildly predictive of the reading fluency advantage obtained during SFA-On periods, with lower-IQ students benefiting more from amplification. The study's findings suggest that while SFA may not provide universal academic benefits for all students, it may offer advantages to students with lower cognitive abilities, suggesting it is a valuable support for the many classrooms that do not meet recommended acoustic standards.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1481588
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        Value: 10.1038/s41539-025-00350-1
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 8
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Classroom Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Acoustics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reading Fluency
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      – SubjectFull: Hearing (Physiology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Grade 4
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Tests
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Ability
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      – SubjectFull: Intelligence
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      – SubjectFull: Auditory Perception
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      – SubjectFull: Auditory Discrimination
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      – SubjectFull: Attention
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      – SubjectFull: Predictor Variables
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      – SubjectFull: Intelligence Quotient
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      – TitleFull: The Impact of Classroom Soundfield Systems on Reading Fluency in Normal-Hearing Students
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