Speech interference levels at airport noise impacted schools

Schools that are not within the current 65-dBA DNL contour used by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine eligibility for school sound proofing, may still be impacted by aircraft noise associated with airport operations. Interior noise levels at several schools near the Newark International Airport (EWR) were monitored to determine the Speech Interference Level (SIL) at classrooms and other instructional areas of these schools. The high levels of interior PSIL were measured during the events of aircraft fly-overs. The measured PSIL can reach as high as 73 dB. The differences in PSILs between the ambient and aircraft fly-overs are 20 dB or more.