3 ms·

My son (autistic and generally sensitive to noise) point-blank refuses to go into public toilets/restrooms just in case one goes off. :-(

leibnitz27 7y ago
I'm in exactly the same boat. To be honest, I've started to get twitchy whenever anyone uses one when he's NOT around, I'm that used to watching out for them. Hand dryers. Leaf blowers. Hair dryers. Hoovers. But bowling alleys and swimming pools are fine. I really want to figure out the spectrum of noise that hurts.
- userbinator 7y ago
  I really want to figure out the spectrum of noise that hurts. I suspect that, like most people in general, he's fine with lower-frequency sounds, but just more sensitive to high frequency ones.
- penagwin 7y ago
  I've been sensitive to loud noises (still can't drive with my windows down) since I was a kid, and I've been diagnosed by a doctor to be on the spectrum (albeit high functioning) for various other reasons as well. It's obviously different for everyone, but for me it comes down to a few things: * Generally the higher pitch noises are way worse then a low deep "growl" * Sudden, high decibel noises, especially if they're unexpected are BAD * High decibel repetitive noises (ever have only one window open in your car on the highway and hear a WOMPH WOMPH WOMPH sound?) are unbearable. * Restaurant buzzers, alarms, etc. Even the alarms coming from inside McDonalds while I'm in the drive through make me uncomfortable/ * Anything shrilly, no matter the decibel. Sounds that are lower pitch, and continuous are much easier to get used to. The AC kicking on is uncomfortable, but after ~30 seconds the fan noise doesn't bother me. For me public places have an "ambient sound" that seems to get filtered out okay. Mostly only the occasional small child skrill bothers me. I also have social anxiety so I'll get uncomfortable anyway however. ---- This seems to align with your observation that bowling alleys/swimming pools being okay. Most of the sounds are lower pitch, continuous, and most of the sudden noises are expected (kids splashing, bowling ball rolling, etc.) The biggest difference is the decibel level though. Hand dryers. Leaf blowers. Hair dryers. Hoovers, are all LOUD. Imagine your parents SCREAMING AS LOUD AS THEY CAN AT YOU. That's how those feel. --- I have a feeling my observations will apply to most people on the spectrum, but you'd have to multiply it by 10x/100x depending on the severity of the individual.
fencepost 7y ago
Is he high enough function to manage his own over the ear hearing protection or does that raise issues of never getting them off of him? I'd avoid in-ear until you know whether he'd just be leaving them always in which could cause its own problems.
- saw-lau 7y ago
  He is high functioning enough for that. This is something we'll probably try down the line if things don't improve.

leibnitz27 7y ago

I'm in exactly the same boat. To be honest, I've started to get twitchy whenever anyone uses one when he's NOT around, I'm that used to watching out for them. Hand dryers. Leaf blowers. Hair dryers. Hoovers. But bowling alleys and swimming pools are fine. I really want to figure out the spectrum of noise that hurts.

userbinator 7y ago
I really want to figure out the spectrum of noise that hurts. I suspect that, like most people in general, he's fine with lower-frequency sounds, but just more sensitive to high frequency ones.
penagwin 7y ago
I've been sensitive to loud noises (still can't drive with my windows down) since I was a kid, and I've been diagnosed by a doctor to be on the spectrum (albeit high functioning) for various other reasons as well. It's obviously different for everyone, but for me it comes down to a few things: * Generally the higher pitch noises are way worse then a low deep "growl" * Sudden, high decibel noises, especially if they're unexpected are BAD * High decibel repetitive noises (ever have only one window open in your car on the highway and hear a WOMPH WOMPH WOMPH sound?) are unbearable. * Restaurant buzzers, alarms, etc. Even the alarms coming from inside McDonalds while I'm in the drive through make me uncomfortable/ * Anything shrilly, no matter the decibel. Sounds that are lower pitch, and continuous are much easier to get used to. The AC kicking on is uncomfortable, but after ~30 seconds the fan noise doesn't bother me. For me public places have an "ambient sound" that seems to get filtered out okay. Mostly only the occasional small child skrill bothers me. I also have social anxiety so I'll get uncomfortable anyway however. ---- This seems to align with your observation that bowling alleys/swimming pools being okay. Most of the sounds are lower pitch, continuous, and most of the sudden noises are expected (kids splashing, bowling ball rolling, etc.) The biggest difference is the decibel level though. Hand dryers. Leaf blowers. Hair dryers. Hoovers, are all LOUD. Imagine your parents SCREAMING AS LOUD AS THEY CAN AT YOU. That's how those feel. --- I have a feeling my observations will apply to most people on the spectrum, but you'd have to multiply it by 10x/100x depending on the severity of the individual.

fencepost 7y ago

Is he high enough function to manage his own over the ear hearing protection or does that raise issues of never getting them off of him? I'd avoid in-ear until you know whether he'd just be leaving them always in which could cause its own problems.

saw-lau 7y ago
He is high functioning enough for that. This is something we'll probably try down the line if things don't improve.