Sensory Spotlight: Auditory (Sound)

This is the second installment in our Sensory Spotlight series.

The auditory system is responsible for the body’s sense of hearing. It allows us to detect and locate sounds in our environment, to identify them, and to determine which sounds are important and which can be tuned out. Children with auditory processing issues may crave loud or repetitive noises, become overwhelmed or distracted by everyday sounds, or be unable to detect sounds in their environment. You can read more about how the auditory system works on the STAR Institute’s website.

See below for a quick guide on identifying auditory seeking, avoiding, and discrimination issues in children.

Auditory Seekers May:

• Seek out loud or busy environments.
• Seem to always be yelling or speaking too loudly.
• Make repetitive sounds, such as clapping, tapping, or clicking.
• Have difficulty focusing on a task without humming or making noise.
• Prefer to have constant background noise, such as music, TV, or a fan.
• Insist on listening to TV or music at a volume that is uncomfortable to others.

Auditory Avoiders May:

• Seek out quiet or secluded environments.
• Frequently cover their ears and react to loud or high-pitched noises as if in pain.
• Become easily distracted by background noises others can’t detect.
• Be bothered or extremely irritated by repetitive or specific sounds.
• Be startled and extremely frightened by unexpected sounds.
• Become overwhelmed and frustrated while working in loud, busy environments.
• Engage in repetitive, self-soothing activities, such as rocking or chewing.

Those with Auditory Discrimination Disorder May:

• Speak too loudly or too softly.
• Appear unresponsive or confused when given verbal directions.
• Take longer than usual to process and respond to verbal directions.
• Be unable to distinguish between background and foreground noises.
• Have difficulty distinguishing between similar sounding words (cat, rat, sat).