It’s quite common for children with autism and ADHD who experience extreme noise sensitivity to also face high levels of anxiety. This article explores the link between noise sensitivity and anxiety, as well as provides helpful tips to reduce anxiety and noise sensitivity.

The Connection between Sensitivity to Noise and Anxiety

Noise sensitivity and anxiety often go hand in hand, much like the age-old question of which came first, the chicken or the egg. For some children, high levels of anxiety can lead to heightened sensory issues, including an increased sensitivity to noise. On the other hand, sound sensitivity can also cause strong negative emotions such as irritation, anger, anxiety, and fear.

The link is within our brain

The reason behind this connection between sensory information and emotions lies within our brain. Their five senses – sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing – are closely connected to their brain’s emotion center.

Different sensory experiences can create a wide range of feelings

The various sensory inputs can create a wide range of feelings. For instance, the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies can instantly make your child happy and instantly put a smile on their face. them feel warm and cozy, bringing a smile to their face. Similarly, wearing a soft cashmere sweater can offer a comforting sensation of warmth. On the other hand, noisy traffic may startle them and cause anxiety, instinctively wanting to run away. Additionally, seeing a cute puppy or kitten on the street can make them feel playful and eager to reach out and touch them.

Noise can activate the fear center of the brain, the amygdala

When we perceive something threatening, it could be anything from scary sights to unsettling feelings, to spooky sounds, that sensory information is sent to the amygdala, which triggers a fear response. The amygdala is a part of the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions, especially fear and anxiety. People with sound sensitivity can hear even normal everyday noises loudly, like the sound of ventilation, water drops, clocks, wind, and traffic from a distance, etc. All those noises that others ignore can cause fear, anger, and anxiety. Think of horror movies and how they use low, deep sounds to create a creepy feeling in us.

Fear makes your child want to run away

When fear, anger, and anxiety activate the amygdala, it triggers our fight-or-flight response in our nervous system. The fight-or-flight response is a natural reaction that happens when you feel like you’re in danger. It gets your body ready to either face the danger or run away from it. That’s why many children with autism and ADHD suddenly run away from their parents in public places or have meltdowns and shutdowns for no apparent reason. Their brain perceives the noise from the crowd or other environmental noises as a threat.

Remembering Scary Events

The amygdala is not only involved in fear, but it also tells the brain’s memory center (the hippocampus) to store memories of these events. That’s why many children who are sensitive to sound are afraid to go outside. For them, going out means encountering something scary, which makes them feel anxious.

Chronic Anxiety and Noise Sensitivity

Chronic anxiety can increase sensitivity to noise and other sensory experiences. Studies have shown that individuals with depression and anxiety tend to have an enlarged amygdala over time. Conversely, the memory center known as the hippocampus has been observed to shrink. For children who experience both noise sensitivity and anxiety, this heightened state of alertness can hinder their learning process. Their nervous system is constantly on high alert, searching for potential threats in their environment, while their memory and learning capacity diminish. Therefore, it is crucial to help children reduce their anxiety. Here are 5 tips to achieve that.

5 Tips to Reduce Anxiety

There are several ways to reduce anxiety, and here are 5 tips that you can use for your child. Reducing anxiety can also help decrease sensitivity to noises, so let’s explore them.

1. Check if your child is hungry:

Many people report experiencing heightened anxiety when they are hungry.

Just like we get stressed when we don’t have enough money, the body requires a lot of energy and nutrients to run efficiently. So, try feeding your child small, healthy snacks whenever they get hungry instead of waiting until your child’s emotions are affected.

2. Supplement :

Ashwagandha, Chamomile, Magnesium, B vitamin complex, vitamin D, Omega 3, L-theanine, etc.

Heightened anxiety or chronic stress depletes many vital nutrients. To cope with this, your child needs various nutrients. The above are many of the well-known ones that can help manage anxiety in your child. Alternatively, you can search online for “stress supplements for kids” or “anxiety supplements for kids” and choose the ones that contain the highest amounts of the nutrients I listed above.

3. Mindfulness:

Mindfulness doesn’t always mean deep breathing and meditation.

It means being in the present moment. Mindfulness helps put a break on the Amygdala (the fear center) from flaring up and activating the fight-or-flight response (e.g., tantrums, meltdowns, shutdowns, or running away). In other words, it distracts your child’s brain and calms their anxiety. Here’s an example of something you can do before your child’s anxiety kicks in: – Ask your child to name 3 things they can see, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can feel. – Or ask your child, “Do you know what 2 + 2 is?”

4. Caring touch:

When you notice your child starting to feel anxious, you can gently hold their hands, stroke their back, or give them a comforting hug while using reassuring words. This also helps alleviate anxiety in the moment. The important thing is to stay calm and provide support. Parents instinctively use these techniques to comfort their children. However, as children have more episodes of meltdowns, parents tend to forget about this because they become overwhelmed by their children’s needs. I would like to remind you that your caring touch is very effective in temporarily calming your child’s anxiety.

5. Safe and Sound Protocol:

This is a special music therapy that helps lower your child’s sound sensitivity and anxiety simultaneously. With the vibration and pitch of the music, it strengthens specific muscles that are responsible for controlling the volume of incoming sounds, resulting in decreased sensitivity to noise. Additionally, it creates a new pathway for your child to experience a sense of calm and security, rather than triggering anxiety.

Final Thoughts

This article addresses the connection between noise sensitivity and anxiety and explores 5 different ways to lower anxiety, including the Safe and Sound Protocol as a possibility. It’s important to address your child’s anxiety or sound sensitivity issues since they can affect their brain functions, behavior, mood, and personality.

For more information on the effects of the Safe and Sound Protocol, read this article.

Interested in working with me directly? Check out my coaching.

To learn how to reduce noise sensitivity and anxiety, sign up for the webinar waitlist below. You will be the first to be notified when it takes place.

Hypersensitivity is very common in children with ADHD. They can perceive and feel everything intensely, which can definitely impact their ability to focus, as well as their behaviours and moods. Among these sensitivities, noise sensitivity can be particularly bothersome for children with ADHD.

In this article, we will explore different types of noise or sound sensitivity, the causes of sound sensitivity, and its effects on children with ADHD. We will also discuss several treatments that you might consider trying for your child.

What is noise (sound) sensitivity?

Noise sensitivity, also known as sound sensitivity or auditory sensitivity, refers to an individual’s heightened sensitivity or intolerance to certain sounds. It can range from mild discomfort to severe distress and can be associated with various conditions such as hyperacusis, misophonia, or sensory processing disorder.

Different Types of Sound Sensitivity

• Auditory Hypersensitivity/ hyperacusis:

Certain frequencies of sound are strongly disliked, and individuals may avoid noisy environments. Some children with this condition can hear and get irritated by quiet sounds like ventilation in the house or traffic coming from a few blocks away, etc.

• Misophonia:

Specific sounds trigger strong emotions and must be avoided because they feel unbearable. For other children, repetitive sounds like clocks ticking, water dripping, someone eating chips, or someone clearing their throat can evoke anger and cause behavioral issues.

• Auditory Processing Disorder:

Hearing is normal, but there is difficulty in processing and understanding what is heard, especially when there is background noise. For many children, they don’t tolerate being in noisy crowded places such as a shopping mall or even in a school bus or classroom.

In most cases, children with sound sensitivity experience a combination of different types of sound sensitivity.

Causes of sound sensitivity in children with ADHD

The causes of sound sensitivity in children with ADHD can vary. Here are three factors that make sense:

1. Born as a highly sensitive child:

Some individuals are naturally more sensitive than others. They may have a lean body and delicate senses, often referred to as Vata Type or Ectomorph.

2. Emotional factors:

Chronic stress, trauma, and anxiety can contribute to sound sensitivity. Regardless of the cause of emotional upset and stress, when someone experiences prolonged emotional difficulty or stress, their nervous system becomes defensive, making all five senses hypersensitive. This may explain why children with sound sensitivity also experience other sensitivities, such as to textures, bright light, and smells.

3. Weak ear muscles:

Neuroscientist Dr. Steven Porges has made a recent finding that most people with sound sensitivity have weak ear muscles responsible for controlling the volume of the incoming sound. Their weak muscles struggle to block out background noises and fail to reduce the volume of loud noises. That’s why for children with sound sensitivity, even quiet noise sounds loud enough to distract them, and loud noise sounds really loud, which startles them.

The good news is that Dr. Porges has also developed a powerful method to reduce sound sensitivity, which we will discuss next.

Four ways to help children with ADHD who are sensitive to noise:

1. Environmental Modifications:

Create a quiet and calm environment for your child by reducing background noise and providing visual supports. This can help minimize the impact of noise sensitivity.

2. Relaxation Techniques:

Teach your child relaxation techniques to cope with anxiety caused by noise. Encourage the use of noise-cancelling headphones or the creation of quiet spaces when needed.

3. Therapy options:

Consider occupational therapy or sensory integration therapy to address sensory processing difficulties and reduce noise sensitivity in children with ADHD.

4. The Safe and Sound Protocol:

This music therapy targets the root cause of sound sensitivity. It uses the vibration of the music as a tool to exercise and strengthen the weakened ear muscles. This is my favourite option because it has worked for me and many of my clients.

Final thoughts

We live in a noisy world, and if noise or sound becomes a constant source of stress or threat to your child with ADHD, it can definitely have a negative impact on their behavior and ability to focus.

If you are looking for a safe and effective option to reduce your child’s sound sensitivity, I encourage you to, read this article.

Interested in working with me directly? Check out my coaching.

To learn how to reduce noise sensitivity and anxiety, sign up for the webinar waitlist below. You will be the first to be notified when it takes place.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects children in different ways, and one common characteristic is being sensitive to sounds. Many children with ASD are extra sensitive to the sounds around them, perceiving everyday background noises as louder and more intense than typical individuals. This sensitivity can be overwhelming, causing fear and discomfort, and leading to numerous challenges in their daily lives. This article discusses the difficulties that may arise from sound sensitivity in children with autism and provides three practical tips to assist them in coping with everyday sounds.

8 Challenges Children with Autism Face Due to Noise Sensitivity

1. Toilet issues:

Many children with autism struggle with using the toilet, sometimes refusing to use it at all. This can be due to various reasons, such as the loud sound of flushing, things disappearing in the toilet, or being alone in a small space. Toilet-related challenges are common among children with autism.

2. Reluctance to go out:

Many children with ASD hesitate to leave their homes due to the noisy world outside. Sounds like wind, car honking, people talking, and machinery noises can be overwhelming for children with sound sensitivity.

3. Difficulties during transit:

Children with sound sensitivity may experience difficulties during bus rides, where the noise of other children talking, the radio, and the closing of the bus door can cause panic and discomfort.

4. Challenges in the classroom:

Classroom environments can be challenging for children with sound sensitivity, with noises like ventilation sounds, chairs moving, pens dropping, and other chatty sounds. These noises can become amplified and overwhelming, making it hard for children to focus on the teacher’s voice.

5. Preference for playing alone:

Children with sound sensitivity may prefer to play alone, as the sounds of other children playing can be too loud and uncomfortable for them.

6. Hesitation to make eye contact:

Children with ASD often avoid making eye contact, which can be a sign of fear or discomfort. Some children with autism are sensitive to certain voices, particularly those with deep and low tones that they perceive as unfriendly.

7. Attempting to run away:

Many children with autism may try to run away in public places like parking lots or malls. This behavior is often driven by fear and the overwhelming noise in these environments.

8. Language development delays:

Children with sound sensitivity may experience delays in language development. Their ears tend to pick up background noise first, causing their brain to process it as a source of fear and threat. As a result, they may struggle to focus on and understand spoken words.

3 Helpful Tips to Help Children with Autism Cope with Everyday Noise

1. Create a predictable routine and environment:

Sensitive children with ASD benefit from having a predictable routine and environment. This can help them feel more secure and calm.

2. Encourage the use of headphones:

Many children with sound sensitivity find comfort in using headphones when they are outside. Headphones can reduce external noise and provide emotional comfort, acting as a shield from the overwhelming sounds.

3. Explore the Safe and Sound Protocol:

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a music therapy program that effectively reduces sound sensitivity by strengthening specific nerves and muscles in the ear associated with controlling volume. This protocol has provided relief for many individuals with autism and sound sensitivity.

Final Thought

This article addresses the genuine day-to-day difficulties experienced by children with ASD who face challenges with sound sensitivity and offers three valuable tips. It is crucial to acknowledge and address these challenges, as they can worsen if left untreated. The Safe and Sound Protocol is an evidence-based method that has proven beneficial to numerous individuals with autism and sound sensitivity.

If you would like further details about the real impact of the Safe and Sound Protocol, please take the time to read this article.

Interested in working with me directly? Check out my coaching. 

To learn how to reduce noise sensitivity and anxiety, sign up for the webinar waitlist below. You will be the first to be notified when it takes place.