In thinking my son can hear cat repelling machine?

[Nahhh]

There’s a gadget on the front lawn of a house we walk past everyday. It seems to click “on” as we approach but I don’t hear anything, just see the lights change on the front.

My son has ASD, he immediately covers his ears and starts growling and trying to bolt off. He says there’s a ringing noise “even louder than when the whole school cheers”.

What on earth is going on?! It’s making our walk to school even harder than usual:

Oops, this didn’t really require voting 🤦🏻‍♀️

Our next door has one exactly like that (dark green) I can hear it when we walk past, it's horrendous! I'm 28 for reference (not sure if it's true you can't hear them the older you are)

Yes, younger people can hear different frequencies. They actually put teenage repelling machines outside some shopping malls to stop them loitering. Fully-grown adults can hear them, but it drives teens mad.

Fully-grown adults can't hear them ..

I'm 56 and I can hear them. They are REALLY loud, in your head/bones kind of noisy

You're correct. They run at high frequencies that only animals and young people can hear. They're obnoxious things, and work the same way as "mosquito" devices

Yes, it’s a high frequency that you don’t detect as you get older. For young people it can be quite an irritating high pitched noise.

Yes he probably can hear it. Probably best to walk round it (if it's a quiet road) to prevent setting it off.

Could you talk to the owner? Ask them to change the setting/sensitivity/ direction or something?

Maybe your son has superhuman cat powers (were you by any chance bitten by a radioactive cat when pregnant?)
Seriously though, I can often hear buzzing that my children can't, and visa versa xx

I have hypersensitive hearing (and ASD) and can hear these. It's quite painful. But the dicks that use them think it's OK because it's only a minority that are disturbed by them.

He probably can hear it as I have read similar devices are used to discourage loitering teenagers around premises etc. No advice I'm afraid, it must be horrible for him. My only suggestion (which you've probably already thought of) would be is there any way you could alter your route?

I'm 30 and autistic and can hear the teen repelling ones so he possibly can bear the cat repelling one.

ANother one here who can hear them. I cross the road when I know where one is, just to avoid the ear piercing noise.
I'm 43!

Quite possible, children can hear things adults can't. Wasn't there a noise device that some shopkeepers were using to dissuade teenagers from congregating at the entrances to their shops? It was some time ago so I may be wrong. Couldn't be heard by adults bit was really irritating to children and teens.

I can hear them (27) and they send me bonkers. I am quite sensitive to sounds but it doesn't surprise me in the least that he can.

I can hear them... and all those, only under 10s can hear this, kind of tests. I have limited capacity for hearing bass but high pitched stuff and electicity whining, I hear it all 😩

Massively cross posted there!

Sorry crosspost.

Yes, a cat repelling device, definitely audible to children and younger people. DD has refused to let me use one in our garden because the one up the road is audible to her.

If it's distressing your son, it's worth having a chat with the owners - if it's triggered by motion in front of the sensor, they may be able to reposition it at the front of the garden pointing inwards, so that it isn't triggered by you walking past. They may not know that children can hear it, and it must be particular bad for those with sensory issues.

I know when I am walking passed a house if they have them.... mentioned to DH they’re so annoying as I heard one “ringing” out and was a complete surprise to me he couldn’t hear a thing!

Loads on our street. I'm 40s and can hear them. Shouldn't be allowed.

My parents have to turn theirs off when I visit because it's the same - like a hot needle through my skull.

I'm 40 and I fucking hate these things. I can hear all of them and it HURTS. I'm NT, and I'd quite cheerfully kick them over in every garden they are in. I can't go near one end of my own road because of them.

I've no doubt your son is also in pain from them.

These are very similar frequencies to those used to deter teenagers in shopping areas - and weren't they outlawed in the end? (And replaced with twinkly classical music as a deterrent?).

Yes of course he can hear it. The younger you are the more likely you can hear it. I can hear ours and I’m 54.