Providing safe audio equipment for group-based environments is critical in aiding students to work and study together. The 8-position Sound Alert Listening Center is the first of its kind to warn teachers and students when the audio that's played through the jackbox to its headphones is louder than the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's recommended 85dB level.
The center is ideal for supporting audio-assisted learning activities such as individual and group tutorials, literacy groups, language lessons, story-time, Special Education, and ELL/ELD learning applications. It includes the Sound Alert jackbox, eight matching 2924AVG monaural headphones and a rugged carry case. With the sound level controlled from its jackbox, the listening center can safely keep the volume to a safe 85 decibel level.
When the jackbox volume exceeds 85 decibels, a bright red LED warning light turns on, alerting both the teacher and students about the unsafe sound level requiring adjustment. This visual cue not only helps correct the current situation, but will also help students learn safe and lifelong listening practices in school and extending beyond their academic careers.
According to a March 2006 national poll commissioned by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 40% of students reportedly set their music players' volume too loud above 85 decibels, which is the level hearing experts recommend not be exceeded. If music can be heard coming from a student's headphone, the volume is too loud and the student is at risk of experiencing hearing loss.
Hearing loss can lead to many problems in school including: difficulty with academic achievement in language arts, vocabulary, arithmetic, and problem solving. Students with hearing loss score lower on achievement tests, and have greater needs for special education or extra support in the classroom.
The durable Sound Alert jackbox can also be used as a traditional jackbox without charging its battery, but the warning LED feature will not operate. The jackbox conserves its power by shutting off when no audio signal is present for 60 seconds and will power on automatically when there is an audio signal present.
