How to cope with noise sensitivity
Quick tip 1
Keep ear protection handy.
Keep ear protection handy.
Have earbuds, noise-canceling headphones, or earplugs nearby. They can provide some protection from noises that can’t be avoided. Make sure they just muffle sound. Blocking sounds out altogether can cause safety concerns.
Quick tip 2
Use background noise.
Use background noise.
Background noise can soften the impact of jarring or annoying sounds. A fan or a white noise machine may help with sleep. In public, try listening to light sounds using earbuds.
Quick tip 3
Plan ahead.
Plan ahead.
Call stores to find out their least crowded times. You or someone else can visit new places ahead of time so you can explain what to expect. And prepare for unexpected sounds, like self-flushing toilets and hand dryers in public restrooms.
Quick tip 4
Address safety issues.
Address safety issues.
Sound sensitivity can pose safety challenges. People may try to get away from noises quickly without noticing their surroundings. Or they might not tune in to important sounds, like alarms. Plan for these situations with others who can help.
Kids and adults with sensory processing issues can be highly sensitive to noise. It can make everything from shopping to school fire drills difficult to manage. And unpredictable sounds, like a dog barking or sounds of a certain frequency, can pose an even bigger challenge.
It’s not always possible to avoid this type of sensory input. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how much is too much and to share those limits with others.
For example, the sounds of an action-filled video game may be a stressor. So kids and adults can set boundaries by saying things like, “I like that game, but the sound of the buzzer hurts my ears. Can we turn the volume way down?”
When kids are sensitive to noise, the adults in their life should work together to address safety concerns. Sound sensitivity makes it hard to filter out unimportant sounds. But it can also make it hard to tune in to important ones, like sirens, alarms, and other safety warnings.
Families and teachers can create a safety plan for kids so teachers know what to expect and what to do. For instance, agree on a signal to give advance warning of planned fire drills. Or let kids sit near a door during assemblies so they can slip outside if the noise becomes overwhelming.
Dive deeper
Why it happens
When people have sensory processing issues, their brain has difficulty organizing and responding to information that comes in through the senses. And some people are more sensitive to noise than to other sensory input. Certain sounds can make them feel overwhelmed. Learn more about sensory overload .
Next steps
Sensory processing issues can affect every part of life. But there are ways to cope and thrive with noise sensitivities. Find more strategies to manage sensory processing issues at home.
Parents and caregivers: Get tips to talk to teachers about sensory issues.
Educators: Explore classroom accommodations for sensory processing issues .