Sound Sensitivity in Children
Does your child plug their ears when they hear certain sounds? Do they seem extra sensitive to sounds around them?
Your child may be sound sensitive
Sound sensitivity is a lower tolerance for the sounds in one’s environment, while the same level of sound is comfortable to others (e.g. sound of dishes knocking together, music, crowds, trucks, etc.).
Sound sensitivity is detected in children when they behave atypically upon hearing certain noises.
For example, your child might plug their ears, say the sound hurts their ears, cry, run away from the source of the sound, show signs of anxiety or fear, etc.
They could also experience difficulty listening to their teacher in class or doing their homework when there is too much ambient noise.
Since sound sensitivity is closely linked to auditory health, the first step is to have an audiologist perform a complete hearing test. The audiologist will also be able to give you tools and strategies to help your child become more tolerant of normal sounds.
If you have any questions about your hearing or that of a loved one, our hearing health professionals will be happy to answer them.
BY VIRGINIE HÉBERT, Audiologist, Polyclinique de l’Oreille
