Acoustical preferences and needs of students: Methods and indicators to assess the acoustical quality of study places

Methods and indicators to assess the acoustical quality of study places

Abstract

University students are self-directed learners who dedicate considerable time to studying in study places. Research on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) highlights the adverse effects of prolonged indoor exposure to environmental stressors, including noise. Acoustical quality can significantly influence students’ health and comfort. To evaluate the acoustical quality of study places, three groups of indicators can be considered: occupant-related, dose-related, and building-related indicators. Given that students have different acoustical and psychosocial preferences for study places, it is crucial to consider occupant-related indicators. However, existing acoustical guidelines for study places and educational buildings primarily focus on dose-related and building-related indicators, while occupant-related indicators have been overlooked. Therefore, the main research question of this dissertation was posed: How to assess the acoustical quality of study places?

This question was answered through several research methods. First, a literature review identified indicators and methods used to study students’ acoustical preferences and needs. Then, ‘MyStudyPlace’ questionnaire was completed by university students who were clustered based on their IEQ and psychosocial preferences, resulting in nine profiles. Subsequently, students were re-clustered based on acoustical and selected psychosocial preferences, resulting in five profiles. To further explore these profiles, 23 home study places were visited, incorporating interviews, building inspections, and sound pressure level measurements. After that, 15 of these students participated in sound exposure lab experiments, which involved bodily responses, audiometric tests, and perceptual assessments. Furthermore, an indoor soundscape approach using semi-structured interviews with the 23 students examined their sound environment experiences of their home study places. This dissertation offers future research a set of suggested methods and indicators to assess the acoustical quality of study places.