After finding out that Nanaikapono Elementary School has a larger than normal percentage of special-needs students, a local employment services company recently donated $18,000 worth of audio enhancement equipment to the school.

Kerry Kopp, president of Altres Staffing, said that as a child he had difficulty hearing his teachers explain technical subjects such as math and science. As a result, his ability to learn suffered.

Audio enhancement makes the learning experience better because speakers set throughout the classroom balance the teacher's natural speaking voice with some amplification, Kopp said.

Teachers wear pendant-style infrared wireless microphones, eliminating the need to speak loudly. Students, if they choose, can use handheld microphones to talk when answering questions.