One way to increase accessibility in your classroom this semester is to use the microphone if one is available (even if you think your voice is loud enough – it’s not). Approximately 1 in 5 College students have some level of hearing loss. Many of Bowdoin’s classroom spaces have instructor microphones. Visit the list of classrooms and the technology available in the IT knowledgebase to find out what equipment is in your classroom.

Benefits of using a microphone in the classroom

• Microphones amplify someone’s voice, making it louder and clearer for students to hear and understand. 
• Microphones can be heard over background noise like air and heating ventilation or hallway noise.
• Improves sound regardless of where a person sits in the classroom. This is helpful in larger classrooms.
• Instructors can avoid straining their voice and can talk at normal volume when using a microphone.
• If lectures are being recorded, using a microphone will provide clearer audio.  

If you have any questions about your classroom or would like to test out a microphone with someone, contact the IT Service Desk, submit a classroom orientation form, or contact Juli Haugen, Digital Accessibility Consultant.

Kornisch, M., Barton, A., Park, H., Lowe, R., & Ikuta, T. (2024). Prevalence of hearing loss in college students: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1282829