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Sensory issue - noise

C12H22O11C12H22O11 member
in Special Needs

Hi ladies, 

I'm posting here cause I thought y'all would be the most knowledgeable re: my concern.

DS has always had an aversion to loud noises.  Notably fire alarms and airplanes, but he's also expressed an aversion to mowers, large trucks, loud music, and noisy crowds.  Birthday parties can be difficult because of all the screaming kids.  He will mainly put his hands over his ears and try to leave the loud situation.  It's never particularly hindered our lives at all, aside from the fact that we have to reassure him that noises can't hurt him, etc. His anxiety seems to be compounded when you add loud noises to unfamiliar places or situations.

He moved into a new class at daycare in Jan and his new teacher is extremely concerned about his noise aversions.  She mentioned that he had a crying breakdown when they had a fire drill at school and it took her "forever" to calm him down.  She was also very concerned that DS doesn't like the lawn mowers, even from inside the classroom.  No other teacher has ever mentioned this as a concern.  He has no other sensory issues and for all intents and purposes is a normal, healthy kid.

I'm going to set up an appt with pedi to ask about it, but for those of you have formal DX of sensory issues with noises, does this sound like how your child presented?  Or could DS just have sensitive ears?  What types of therapy are available for aural sensory issues?  Have you noticed marked improvement with therapy?

Thxs in advance!! 

Ethan Michael - 12/21/09
Norah Jewel - 2/26/14

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Re: Sensory issue - noise

  • Princess_LilyPrincess_Lily member

    DS is sensory related to tactile, however he has also some noise sensitivity which he could self regulate by placing his hands on his ears and or pulling himself out of the situation.  Just like your LO new environments where loud noises are present and unpredictable ill bring upon anxiety & tears.  However his teachers and I explain that everything is okay, I explain what is causing the noise and if its a problem to cover his ears and/or step to the side.

    There isn't any therapy currently being used for him, I have just explained how he can self regulate & his teachers are well aware of his sensitivity.

    There are some children who cannot cope even with self regulation so tools can be used like headphones or earplugs.  We haven't had to use this yet for DS.

    I sometimes am sound sensitive myself, and will hear everything 10x as much as normal.  When it gets too much I will use plug headphones to help "calm" my nerves.

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  • C12H22O11C12H22O11 member
    imageauntie:
    It's kind of a shame that none of your teachers suggested this previously; your son has aged out of EI.


    His other teachers have been aware of his aversions, but I think they've been better at calming his anxiety. I've had discussions with previous teachers about his literal hatred of fire alarms/fire drills, and we all kind of dismissed it as a personality quirk because it doesn't affect his ability to interact/enjoy normal activities.

    I kind of realized this might be a bigger deal yesterday when we attended a bday party at a gym w/loud music and screaming and DS came running to me a couple different times with his hands over his ears. He didn't cry or have a meltdown, and it just took a little reassurance to get him back in the swing of things, but it really got my wheels turning about the seriousness of his aversion.

    He isn't to the point where there's anxiety w/out noise. He still loves to look at fire trucks and doesn't react when he sees a mower at HD, but he makes sure to point out every.single fire alarm every where we go.

    I'm still kind of leaning toward this being a personality quirk as I also have an aversion to loud noises; perhaps I'm partially responsible for giving him the idea that loud equals bad. Next step is to see pedi and then go from there.

    Thanks for the input!!

    Ethan Michael - 12/21/09
    Norah Jewel - 2/26/14

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  • robynlesleyrobynlesley member

    My DS has a strong aversion to loud noises as his primary sensory issue--particularly fire engines, alarms, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, automatic flushing toilets and air dryers. He jumps and covers his ears--which is actually an improvement to crying and freaking out. But he did get OT while in EI last year.

    I am still on a wait list for a private OT (outside of EI, it's not easy to find an OT beyond hand therapy) and full eval. for DS. He has a few other sensory issues and a dx of "lack of coordination."   

    But my son has already gotten better at handling loud noises in the last year (between 2.5 and 3.5) and I hope to see it improve more.  Perhaps with age comes better coping mechanisms? I hope so.


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  • Rachel SonnierRachel Sonnier member
    My son is doing therapeutic listening with OT/SI and it's working really well for his auditory sensory issues.
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