Flushing a toilet, fireworks on fourth of July, and going shopping in a busy mall may be difficult for a child with sound sensitivity. When a child gets anxious, they require calming input. A child who puts hands over their ears is providing deep pressure (proprioceptive input) to regulate. Here are some strategies to help your child tolerate loud noise.
· Prep, prep, prep:
o Activities that provide a child with proprioceptive input such as pushing and pulling items can bring more awareness to the body and decrease outside noxious input of loud noise
o Listening to music that is 60 beats per minute. The tempo of 60 beats per minute is associated with resting heart rate and elevated states of consciousness. There are listening programs such as The Therapeutic Listening Program (TLP) and The Integrated Listening System (ILS) that have a protocol that targets attention and arousal
· Compensatory Strategies
o Headphones to decrease loud noises
o Provide child with a task in the busy environment to organize thoughts. For example, a shopping list to increase attention.
o Provide deep pressure when overwhelmed in loud setting such as hugs, high fives, and joint compressions to bring awareness to their body
o Having them hold an object that makes them feel safe