Sound Hypersensitivity in Children
Does your child block their ears when they hear loud and sudden noises, such as the hand dryer in a public washroom, the mixer or the shouts of a crowd?
They’re not alone! Sound hypersensitivity is common in young children. Different factors may explain negative reactions to loud sounds.
Brain Maturity
While the inner ear is mature at birth, the pathways that relay auditory information to the brain need time to develop. This means that children, especially young children, don’t necessarily process auditory information the same way as adults. This is especially true for noise.
Ear Infections
Sometimes, temporary hearing loss is the only symptom of fluid buildup behind the eardrum. This is called a “silent” (serous) ear infection, since it often goes unnoticed. Once it clears, it can feel like leaving a movie theatre. When you leave the theatre, the light can feel blinding even though it doesn’t normally bother you. Similarly, a child whose hearing is impaired because of an ear infection might feel overwhelmed when the liquid absorbs and their hearing returns to normal.
Negative Associations
Reactions to loud sounds can also be explained by a negative association with a sound. For example, a child who does not like to dry their hair may react negatively to the sound of the hairdryer.
Here are some possible solutions:
- Normalize the sounds and explain to the child that they are not painful for the ears
- Show the child where the sound comes from
- Whenever possible, explain to the child why the sound is loud (e.g., smoke detector)
- Involve the child to show them that they can control the sound (e.g., put their hands under a hand dryer, then remove them)
- The important thing is not to try to avoid situations where the child may react to loud sounds, as the less exposed they are, the less accustomed they are to them. If needed, you can introduce the sounds slowly. Earmuffs are only recommended in situations where the volume could cause hearing damage (e.g., festivals, concerts, racetracks). Unless recommended by a healthcare professional, earmuffs should not be worn frequently. Doing so can overprotect the ear and interfere with incidental learning.
What if the negative reactions to loud sounds persist through school age? For some people, this becomes hyperacusis, i.e. a lower tolerance than average to loud sounds. If this intolerance interferes with daily activities, an audiologist may refer the child to a rehabilitation centre to help the child live better with their hyperacusis.
For more information, talk to an audiologist.