The Benefit of Sound-Field Amplification in First Nations Elementary School Children in Nova Scotia, Canada

The present study investigated the effects of soundfield FM amplification on student classroom performance in a First Nations elementary school classroom. Overall, students - including those with and without hearing loss - demonstrated a significant improvement in classroom performance during use of the sound-field FM amplification system. Results suggest that children can improve in the areas of academics, attention, communication, class participation, and school behaviour when amplification is utilised. The area of attention was shown to have the greatest increase, which suggests that it is the most readily influenced behaviour. Clinical implications of hearing screenings in First Nations schools are discussed, as are the benefits of sound-field FM amplification and the need for its advocacy among clinicians.