Home-Based Schooling for Children: Classroom Noise Levels

I have tinnitus, hyperacusis / intermittent noxacusis, TTTS and reactivity

I have three kids in French immersion school this year. Currently in Columbus, OH city school district they are on a virtual only schedule. They all have different teachers and schedules and use Chromebooks given out by the school district for participation.

The volume level of the classrooms can be insane. Of course the teacher often mutes everyone, but when the entire class begins participating kids are screaming distorted stuff into their mics etc. I just don’t feel comfortable letting my children use headphones to do their schooling since one minute their volume may be fine and the next they are blasted with sudden distorted bursts of sound.

I often have to be present with them and managing all three simultaneously so I’m being exposed to a lot of noise that is really uncomfortable to me. I’ve relayed information regarding my ear disabilities to the school, but that doesn’t seem to be helping much in this case. If I wear extremely protective muffs or plugs I can’t hear what’s going on to assist my kids, but if I wear lower NRR plugs these all day exposures are leaving me with spikes, pain, fullness etc. Just a miserable situation.

This is only their first week of school. I’m worried that this is going to progress into a worsening of some kind for me at this rate.

What are others experiences? I can’t put apps on these Chromebooks to compress the volume and I am not working so I don’t have a budget to buy outboard solutions unless they are pretty cheap.

 

I’m just north of you in Delaware, OH. The only thing I can think of might be to hook up external speakers set to a lower volume to help? Hope you’re able to find a solution!

 

I used to frequent Pat’s Endangered Species (Record Store) and the antique malls up that way often before ear problems. Took my kids to the awesome park by the YMCA too. Really like 12 West’s food. Cool light shows up that way during Christmas! Miss those days.

 

Yeah, I’m going to miss going to the 4th of July concert they put on every year. I’ve never been inside the record store. Maybe someday!