Help with Child with Extreme Sensitivity to Noise

my suggestion is at least try some ear plugs used to muffle sounds and if that helps, give him some time to adjust, like a month, if the problem persist, I would look into the possibility that he has a sensory process defect, the problem with this diagnosis is that it does not exist in a medical text book, but physical therapists and occupational therapist use this term and thus there lies a problem, many physicians can not make the diagnosis if there is no reference to it in texts and also in the diagnosis coding books. There also lies the problem of no diagnosis, no known treatment.

There's a profoundly autistic boy in my religious community who is extremely sensitive to loud or sudden noises, and he actually hated singing or music for his first few years. He wouldn't wear ear plugs either, but his mom and dad got him some over-the-head earphones that helped him a lot.

I also experience a hypersensitivity to noise and bright light that is sometimes better, sometimes worse, depending on whether I've been exposed to airborne chemicals. I have an easier time when I can avoid exposures, especially to scented products.

My daughter (4.5) has always been super noise sensitive, even as a newborn. She's never had tubes in her ears or anything, and I've never even considered that there could be a more serious problem. I'll probably mention it to the pediatrician next time we go, just be be sure, but some kids just have heightened awareness to different stimuli. Her little friend has the same problem with smells. She can smell fainter things better and is very dramatically offended by certain smells.
If you think this is a medical problem, talk to a doctor that takes you seriously. Mother's intuition is nothing to take lightly. In the mean time, ear plugs, cotton balls, and lots of soothing words are the best medicine.

Would headphones work? My son has the same problem, although his is a sensory disorder. He hates loud toilet flushings, loud music, etc. However, for him, once he is used to a noise, it won't bother him as much -like the school bell, fireworks, etc. In his class, he uses headphones when he workes on his own to tune out the noise in the classroom. It helps him a lot. My pediatrician recommended the headphones, as well as using an ipod when he goes to the dentist. My son used to scream, and was terrified of the noises of the drills. The ipod helped tune everything out and he relaxed more. Not sure if this would help you, but I just thought I would suggest it.

My daughter has sensitivity to noise as well. She cannot tolerate the movies, shows, church bells or large groups clapping and cheering. She had tubes out in her ears but also has mild sensory processing disorder. Her noise sensitivity was worse after the tubes however I believe it was because they were no longer muffled by constant infections.

I would find a new ENT.. I would also suggest some ear plus to maybe buffer the noises.

My son has this problem with loud noises but it has gotten better over time. I hope that is the case for your son. We found big noise blocking earmuffs he could wear over his ears. It was hard though. He hated the sound of toilets flushing and would be very afraid in the restroom...he'd either run out while I flushed for him or he'd cover his ears. He hated loud birthday parties too and we would just have to leave. Anyway, these noise blocking earmuffs look like headphones but are not for music - they are the kind of things people wear on boats when they go down into the engine room. They block out much of the sound so you don't get hearing loss. Google them and you will see what I mean. I hope your son gets less sensitive to sound over time. It is weird your doctor and the ENT both say it is behavioral when obviously it is something physical. Poor kid. Talk to some other doctors.

Both of my daughters don't like loud noises, especially the oldest one. The younger one is four, and she is still afraid of popping balloons, loud clapping, fireworks and public flush toilets. My oldest one still covers her ears when she flushes the toilet, even at home. If you carry a set of post it notes with you, you can cover up the sensor on the auto flush toilets so they won't go off while your son is sitting on the toilet. You can remove the post it after he leaves the stall. Sometimes they will flush while my daughters are on the toilet since they are not very tall and the sensor reads it as no one sitting there.

I would get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion if you have to. Why on earth would you continue to pay & deal with someone who's minimizing your concerns, as a parent?

I'm sorry your little guy is so miserable, it sounds awful. I hope you find some resolution for him, soon.

I would find a different ENT. My neice was like this. Her's was bit different because she is autistic but it seemed like they did some kind of therapy with an OT and she is able to handle the toilet flushing now.

My daughter is sensitive to noise (many of the same behaviors as your son), but she has Sensory Processing Disorder. Do a Google search and look at it. He may have had it all along, but it was only noticed when he could actually hear again! =) My daughter goes to occupational therapy for it, and it is helping tremendously! Good luck!

P.S. I feel your pain with the public restrooms. The auto-flush toilets are our nemesis!

My daughter had a similar problem. After multiple ear infections, we did the tubes (at 11 months old). Ever since, she has been very sensitive to loud noises. Public bathrooms, like many others have said, are the WORST. In our case, I would agree that it is more behavioral since both of my children like to make enough noise for a small group of children.

I would get a 2nd opinion. I know that bathrooms are generally loud for kids but with all of the other examples/issues he has, I don't think it's behavioral. I would try the earmuffs and if that didn't help try different doctors. With my daughter, it seems that it is slowly getting better as she gets older. She's 5 now and will not scream when the toilet flushes. She still covers her ears and don't let anyone turn on the hand dryer (especially the dyson ones)

I had severe ear issues as a baby/child/teenager, so although I didn't deal with this problem specifically, I do have some ear experience. :) My advice would be to see a different ENT and to see an audiologist to have a hearing test done. The audiologist will be able to determine for you if this is purely a behavioral issue or if your son does have hearing issues.

You didn't mention any other sensitivities (like him being very bothered by smells or tastes or the feel of clothing), but if he also complains about those he could have Sensory Processing Sensitivity. Here's a checklist and website with info: http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test_child.htm

Good luck!!

I agree with some others. Go to a different ENT and maybe an audiologist as well.

I think this is the first time he is able to actually HEAR so part of this is getting used to how loud things really are and I think it will fade eventually. I have two suggestions:
1. my daughter had ear tubes at 7 months and then again at 2 due to multiple infections. She had a huge sensitivity to sound that I finally decided to treat because once she was on the swings going full speed ahead and an airplane flew over and she let go to grab her ears. Ugh. I suggest you find a great Otolaryngologist - one that doesn't dismiss your concerns. I don't know where you live but my entire school district (and I) swear by Dr. Bahadori in Fairfax, VA. I wouldn't go anywhere else.
For the behavior part of it, we saw an OT (Occupational Therapist.) I know it sounds odd but they thought part of it was to help her grow into her body and ears, etc... I thought it was crazy but we did and after a few sessions she was so much better!
Good luck..