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Correct Answer: sets the standards for acceptable acoustics.
the correct answer to the question of what asha does is that it "sets the standards for acceptable acoustics." the american speech-language-hearing association (asha) is a professional association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists in the united states and internationally. asha is known for its role in setting standards and ethical guidelines in the fields of speech, language, and hearing.
one significant area where asha has set standards is in the realm of acoustics, particularly in educational settings. acoustics, which involves the properties of sound, including its transmission, behavior, and effects, plays a crucial role in the learning environment, especially for students with hearing impairments or auditory processing issues.
three major acoustic components that asha considers in these standards include ambient noise, reverberation, and the signal-to-noise ratio:
1. **ambient noise**: this refers to the background sound present in a setting without the addition of any specific sound sources. in a classroom, ambient noise levels can significantly affect the ability of students to hear and understand speech.
2. **reverberation**: this is the persistence of sound in the environment after the sound source has ceased. in classrooms, excessive reverberation can make it difficult for students to distinguish between words and sentences, thereby impacting comprehension.
3. **signal-to-noise ratio**: this is the ratio between the level of the desired signal (typically speech in a classroom) and the level of background noise. a higher signal-to-noise ratio is preferable in educational settings to ensure clarity of speech.
by setting standards for these and other acoustic factors, asha helps to ensure that educational environments are conducive to all students, including those with hearing difficulties. these standards help guide the design of classrooms and other learning spaces to promote better listening conditions, which in turn can enhance the educational experience and performance of students.
it’s important to note that asha does not set standards for education at all levels for all students in general educational terms, nor does it offer private education for free to all hearing-impaired students, nor is it directly involved in creating assistive technology. instead, asha's role in setting acoustic standards is a critical part of its mission to empower and support professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science by ensuring high-quality conditions for communication and learning.
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