Hush HabitatHow to Set Up a Classroom Noise Meter
A noise meter only helps if it works smoothly at the start of the lesson. This guide takes you from a blank screen to a calm, working display, and covers the problems teachers meet most often.
Before the lesson
- Open the page early. Go to noisemeterforclass.com on the computer that is connected to your projector or interactive whiteboard.
- Allow the microphone once. Your browser asks for permission the first time. The audio is analysed on the computer and is never recorded or sent anywhere.
- Check the room. The meter listens to the computer's microphone, so the computer should be in the room, not across a corridor.
Giving the browser microphone permission
Choose Start with microphone. When the browser asks, choose Allow. If you pressed Block by mistake, click the padlock or settings icon at the left of the address bar, find Microphone, switch it to Allow, and reload the page. School computers may also have a policy that blocks the microphone. In that case ask your IT team to allow the microphone for noisemeterforclass.com.
No microphone? Try without mic lets you see the scene and use the other tools, and you can hold the N key to simulate noise.
Calibrate once the room settles
Rooms differ: a hall echoes, a carpeted room is dull, a laptop microphone is quieter than a conference microphone. By default Hush Habitat adjusts to the room automatically. For best results, open Settings and use Calibrate while the class is quiet for a few seconds. The meter then treats that level as "quiet".
Set the noise limit and the mode
The noise limit is the line on the meter. Animals appear while the room stays below it. Pick a mode that matches the task: Silent work, Partner talk or Group work. Each mode has a different limit, so the same room can be "calm" for group work and "too loud" for silent work.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Animals never appear | The room may be above the limit. Raise the noise limit in Settings, or calibrate in a quiet moment. |
| Animals hide at tiny sounds | Calibrate again, lower the arrival speed, or turn on Gentle sounds. |
| Nothing reacts | Check the browser asked for the microphone, and the right microphone is chosen under Settings → Microphone. |
| Screen is too small to read from the back | Use Display size → Large or Extra large, and press F for fullscreen. |
| The meter shows a level even when silent | Fans, projectors and laptops add background hum. Calibrate in a quiet moment so the meter ignores it. |
Tips for smooth lessons
- Press F for fullscreen and P to pause during instructions.
- Use the lesson routine to cycle silent and partner phases with the timer.
- Set a class goal (for example 10 calm minutes) so children work towards something together.
Want ideas for using the meter well? Read classroom noise management ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hush Habitat record my class?
No. The microphone level is measured live on your computer and discarded. Nothing is recorded, stored or uploaded.
Does it work on a Chromebook, tablet or phone?
It runs in a modern browser on most devices. A computer connected to a projector or interactive whiteboard works best for whole-class use.
Why does the page ask for the microphone?
The meter needs to hear the room to measure how loud it is. The permission is for the browser tab only, and you can revoke it at any time.
Can I use an external microphone?
Yes. Choose it under Settings → Microphone.