How do you know if ear defenders are needed?

[Alambil]

DS is dyspraxic and has issues with noise - I'm not sure if this is related or not, but the OT noted it in her assessment.

Anyway, he always has his fingers in his ears; we went to the fair last night and he walked around with them in; it was not what I'd consider "noisy" - there was chatting and some music from the rides but nothing unbearable for me (and I'm quite sensitive with my hearing)

We watched fireworks too, which were not the huge banging ones; more the whistly, poppy types (rockets, rather than the ones that leave huge circles in the air if you know what I mean)

Anyway, again he had his fingers in his ears.

He sometimes does it walking down the street, but that is getting lesser.

Would I be better investing in some ear defenders / muffs for him? It would be an outward symbol of his problems and I just know my parents will think I'm over-reacting, but I can't bear seeing him with his fingers constantly in his ears - his arms must ache too!

Get him some and see if it helps.

I am hyper with my hearing .. It becomes painful, particularly high pitched whisle noises... The best way to describe it from my point of view.. Lots of different noise all babbling about is jumbly and feels like someone cracking crisp packets constantly in my ears.. Singular high pitch noise.. Feels like ouchy pressure inside my ears.. It gets right in your head.

Those mosqueto doofers outside shops to keep teens away.. Well those hurt as do light bulbs that are on dimmer switches.

Just see how he does with ear plugs and see if he likes them.

It may be an overall sensory overload, so blocking or muffling teh ears helps him cope with the rest.
DS2 will cover his ears if anxious or scared even if there is no noise - I think its just one less sense to worry about.
Give ear defenders a go it may he struggles to tolerate them but if he can it may help him.