What is auditory hypersensitivity?IN BRIEF
Auditory hypersensitivity is a sensory condition where sounds trigger an overly strong response. Noisy places, certain specific sounds, a large amount of noise, a persistent sound, or a sudden noise can cause discomfort or pain for autistic people. This is one of the most common forms of hypersensitivity. Non-autistic people can also experience auditory hypersensitivity.
Definition of auditory hypersensitivity?
Auditory hypersensitivity is a sensory auditory disorder in which there is an overly strong response to sound stimuli. Noisy places, specific types of sound, large quantities of sound, the persistence of a sound, the sudden appearance of a sound, these are all stimuli that can cause an autistic person to suffer, and this is one of the most common hypersensitivities among that community. But non-autistic people can also suffer from auditory hypersensitivity.
The various forms of auditory hypersensitivity
Auditory hypersensitivity
Increased sensitivity to certain sounds.
Hyperacusis
Increased sensitivity to all sounds, whether loud or quiet.
Misophonia
Intense reactions of anger, fear or disgust to certain everyday sounds, like chewing noises.
If I hear someone brushing their teeth, I get so disgusted that I have to run away immediately. At one time, my favorite radio station had a commercial that regularly featured someone brushing their teeth. I stopped listening to the radio.
Phonic hypersensitivity
Intense reactions to speech sounds.
Hypersensitivity to white noise
Intense reactions to background noises, like a fan, refrigerator, or distant plane.
Symptoms of auditory hypersensitivity
The symptoms of auditory hypersensitivity vary from person to person. You don’t need to have this whole list of symptoms to be hypersensitive, and there are many symptoms that aren’t on this list.
- Putting hands over the ears
- Unusual reactions to certain noises (fear, flight, crying, grimaces, etc.).
- Sensory overload
- Irritability
- Difficulty listening
- Difficulty concentrating on a conversation
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks
- Avoiding loud places
A few years ago, I lost my voice. It was incredible how my interventions with an autistic student actually became so much more effective as a result of this!
Consequences of auditory hypersensitivity
The consequences of auditory hypersensitivity vary greatly from one person to another, depending on age, abilities, environment, and available tools.
- Inability to frequent certain places
- Difficulty getting around
- Difficulty with activities of daily living (feeding, bathing, dressing)
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty socializing and communicating
- Learning difficulties
I'm very sensitive to sounds, because they all reach me with the same intensity, whether it's the background music in a restaurant, the conversation of the people sitting next to me, the sound of the keys on the cash register or the voice of the person in front of me. As a result, everything gets mixed up, I don't understand anything and I tire myself out trying to isolate what the person in front of me is saying. If there are more people at the table, I'm totally lost and I just pretend to understand by vacantly nodding my head from time to time, and it takes me several days to recover from this.
What to do if auditory hypersensitivity is a problem?
You have to be creative and proactive, identifying the problem and finding solutions to reduce or eliminate its effects.
Earmuffs
Earmuffs are sturdy and inexpensive. They are often supplied by schools and some employers. They cut the person off from their environment and enable them to concentrate. They can, however, hinder interaction, making it difficult to hear others. Some earmuffs are rigid and uncomfortable; In this case, a wide variety of sizes, cushions, and levels of sound attenuation are available from safety equipment retailers.
During our first subway trip with my two children, my older hyposensitive one chose to blast music (AC/DC), while my little hypersensitive one opted for his noise-canceling earmuffs and his heavy lizard! Adapting is key, even when traveling!
Earplugs
Earplugs are inexpensive and are also provided free of charge by some employers. They cut the person off from their environment and enable them to concentrate. However, they can hinder the person’s interactions, as it will be difficult to hear others. Many models are available: semi-rigid, foam, wax, and more.
Important
Too much sensory deprivation can be harmful and increase the intensity of the problem. For example, a person using earplugs shouldn't wear them all the time but rather keep them for moments when they are truly needed.
Musician’s earplugs
Musician’s earplugs are custom-made, prioritize speech, and preserve sound quality while reducing ambient noise. They are small and discreet. They can be expensive, but many insurance companies may cover part of the cost. They are ideal for allowing the person to interact and converse. Three levels of intensity are available, and to obtain them, you must consult a hearing aid specialist.
Music
For people suffering from auditory hypersensitivity, unpleasant symptoms are so frequent that some develop an intense aversion to anything related to hearing. However, their hypersensitivity can sometimes make them extremely sensitive to musical details, and many of them develop a deep passion for music. In a way, it’s as if this helps the person to forgive their ears for making them suffer so much in certain circumstances, since in others, hypersensitivity is a real gift, especially for music lovers.
Music regularly makes me cry, not in the way that hurts, but in the way that washes and soothes.
Adapting the environment
There are many types of adaptations, ranging from simply closing a door to installing soundproof panels. It is rarely possible to replace all aggravating elements, but the living environment of someone with auditory hypersensitivity should always consider this factor when purchasing appliances such as kitchen appliances, stove hoods, various electronic devices, or toys for other household members.
A television left on all the time, phones on speaker mode, loud video games, and sound alerts from electronic devices can make daily life unbearable for a hypersensitive person. They cannot simply ignore sounds. An adapted environment will prioritize wearing headphones during individual activities or maintaining a lower sound volume.
When rearranging the environment or moving house, arranging for the hypersensitive person to have a retreat space away from the main sources of noise is also a good solution.
Breaks and places of retreat
A retreat space and frequent breaks can help a person better manage the large amount of stimuli they are exposed to. Some parents transform a wardrobe into a cozy cocoon with blankets, cushions, soft lighting, and a few books or stuffed animals to allow the autistic person to rest. An adult attending a social event might choose to take several breaks in the restroom or step outside to better manage the stimuli.
Notify
Warning someone about an upcoming noise can help them prepare physically and mentally. Sudden noises can trigger hypervigilance and worsen the problem. Naturally, all noisy surprises or sound-related pranks should be avoided.
Important
In case of distress, or if the solutions put in place don't work, it's imperative to consult someone who specializes in sensory hypersensitivities.
Noise scale
A chart or scale showing different noise levels can help some people better express their feelings. Talking about noise is an opportunity to help the person calmly name what they are feeling, according to their age and abilities.
Professional consulting
Some people can develop new skills that enable the brain to cope better with intrusive stimuli. These solutions are usually proposed and supervised by specialists such as occupational therapists.
