Physical or psychological?

[Vari757]

posting on aibu for traffic.

DSS is 4.5 and seems to have an extreme sensitivity to what he perceives as being loud noises. His dad and I are considering taking him to the GP to get his ears checked in case he has sensitivity in that area but I'm also not sure if the issue is just in his head and if the GP will think we are being ridiculous.

When things get too loud for him, he covers his ears and cries and it can be quite difficult to calm him down.

The noises that bother him range from: the shower, hand driers in public bathrooms, hair driers, the school bell, the radio being too loud.
He also gets extremely upset when anyone in the household raises their voice. Even if it's through being excited or slightly animated. DSS will perceive that as being shouted at and cries with hands covering his ears. For example... his dad got a bit over excited celebrating the football (jumped off the sofa and shouted Yes!!! With a smile on his face) but DSS found this extremely distressing.

Another example is that we took him to a funfair and we had to leave after less than 5 minutes due to DSS becoming upset by the noise (music, crowds etc)

Just wondered if anyone had experience of this with their children or can offer any advice? I suppose my aibu is to wonder if this is a physical or psychological issue.

Could be either. The most important thing is finding ways to deal with it.

Could you get him some ear defenders for going out and about to potentially noisy places? They make them for all ages.

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This was me as a kid. I have ASD and high pitch/overly loud noises physically hurt me. Hand or hair dryers, bells, yelling not so much. Disco/funfair/crowds/hideous school concerts yes

Could well be a Sensory processing disorder. I'd take to the GP for advice.

Hypersensitivity is a ASD trait

I had the same as a child and am autistic

This really sounds like my niece - she has to wear ear defenders at firework displays. She was diagnosed as HF ASD when she was around 6.

I was like this as a child, I have sensory processing disorder.

Im also not great with crowds, heat, etc. It initially manifested as panic attacks.

He hasn't had any ASD diagnoses but he can have trouble occasionally in social situations so I have wondered if it was linked. Not that 4 year old are social experts in any way!!

I agree that it is usually a sensory processing issue. It's a trait that fits within ASD.

My DD was like this, but has largely grown out of it now (aged 9), although she still freaks out if the hoover goes on suddenly, but other loud noises bother her less now. She does however have a little anxiety. So as PPs have said, it could be either.

My GC has sensory processing issues which include not being able to handle certain noises/volumes/pitch to the point that he becomes really highly distressed.
It was one of the factors mentioned in the report when his autism was diagnosed.
I would definitely see the GP for a referral.

Some people and children just don't like loud noises. Funfair for example - Hell on earth for many people. Not everyone likes the same things.

I would definitely take him to the GP. Hyperacusis can be caused by a number of things, and if there isn't a physical cause then they might be able to offer him some sort of sound therapy to help him cope with noises.

Get yourself on the ASD diagnosis pathway

Sensory sensitivity can be linked to ASD, but is not always. It isn't enough for an ASD diagnosis without other indicators.

There is no point in having his ears "checked", what do you think a GP would find?

My dc have sensory issues, and ear defenders were very helpful. It's really important not to slip into not believing he is finding the noises loud and distressing - he is just experiencing them differently to you.

My dc's sensory sensitivity has got less as they got older, which is quite common.

If you're on the ASD pathway you'll come into contact with the right people (ot) to deal with Sensory processing etc. But the ASD diagnosis pathway can take in excess of 2 years in some areas, better to start sooner find its unnecessary than the other way round.

There is no point in having his ears "checked", what do you think a GP would find?

Hearing difficulties can produce behaviour that mimics ASD but can be treated. Most kids diagnosised with ASD have full hearing assessments on the way

I agree with Caramellatteplease. My son was one of those children - the school was convinced he was autistic but in fact he had severe glue ear which sometimes improved a bit and at those times he reacted as you describe to loud noises because he was not used to them. Once he had treatment ( grommets, speech therapy) the behavioural issues gradually resolved themselves completely.

It does sound more likely to be a sensory processing issue OP. Not unusual in young kids but can be related to ASD/ADHD too so worth getting checked out, also to rule out a physical cause.

Very typical of asd, my son covers his ears and got diagnosed age 10.

I agree with everyone who has suggested Sensory Processing Disorder, SPD. Have a look at the Flare website for their 'Calmer' in-ear products, they do adult and child sizes.

Might be misophonia.