Sensitivity to certain sounds

[Ginger]

DS is 9--adhd, dyslexic, visual issues...etc..
About a year ago, I noticed that he developed hypersensitivity to certain sounds. He stopped writing with a pencil because he claimed it hurt his ears. This has gradually gotten worse until now, where he is at the point of not only him not being able to write with a pencil...he can't tolerate anyone in the room writing with a pencil, or crayon, or a marker, or even anyone using an eraser. It is like fingernails on a chalkboard to him and he just flips out (lashes out in anger). This year I bought him erasable pens---which I thought would be great, but since he can't use an eraser, they haven't really solved anything. And if they did, there is still the fact that if his sisters are in the room doing their work with a writing utensil he doesn't approve of, all heck breaks lose.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this before? Can anything be done about it? I've been researching Auditory Integration Training online--but apparently it isn't proven, nor does it appear that anyone locally uses this method. Should we see a regular SI OT?

Thanks!

[TraceyS/FL]

I'd find a Ped OT for an eval - i like my lady up in Ocala. Helpful huh? B has issues with chalk - but it's a feel/texture thing for her, not the sound.

Has he been tested for Auditory Processing at all? Did i mention to you yet how easy it was to get that appointment at Nemours? If you can go there with your insurance you might check into that too.

Looking in my provider book, there are a variety of places that do ST and OT. Here is what i'd probably do in that case. Go here, http://www.asha.org/proserv/ , and find the providers that deal with Auditory Processing issues, and then cross those to the OT side of things - so you know you have a "team" that will work together. Although i would think for this the OT is going to be the one to do more.

For Orange COunty i'd be looking at, Children First Therapy Services, Pediatric Therapy Services of Greater Orlando and United Cerebral Palsy of CF (not sure if they just see CP kids or not, i don't think they do - i think i recently read they are open to everyone).

I actually got quite a few "We don't do OT for that" from places when i was trying to set up B's SPD eval. I thought that all OT's did it.

I have a friend that is an OT over on the coast, she's hard to pin down now that she isn't in private practice - but she is a Ped specialist. Let me see if she can recommend anyone for you too.

[swellmomma]

I have sound issues. I struggle mightly with the sound of people eating and drinking. Often I chose to sit in a separate room to eat, but on times we go out somewhere I really have a hard time. I can often hear the buzzing in lights (esp. florescent ones-ps was VERY hard in this reguard), electronics that others can't hear and it ranges from distracting to downright annoying depending one what tone the buzzing is, how tired I am etc. I struggle with volume, movie theatres are pure torture and my ears ring for days afterwards, yet as the same time I need things louder than most do in order to hear them at all, gets tricky at times.

I have no solutions however to help you. I just learned over the years how to compensate and deal with it without extra help.

[cillakat]

I have a great deal of difficulty with a variety of sounds. Background noise helps (music that I like.....very quietly......or white noise) is helpful.....earplugs......

being very interested in something will diminish my awareness and subsequent reaction of various sounds.....but it's hard.

K

[LizzyBee]

I'd want an OT evaluation and an evaluation for auditory processing disorder. For an APD evaluation, you will need an audiologist who has special training. Just google auditory processing disorder + audiologist + your city to find practitioners in your area.

[Misty]

I have a significant sound sensitivity so I wear noise-reducing headphones. I LOVE them. They keep my moods from shifting (because when I get overstimulated, I get grouchy!)

And for the record, I do believe I have an auditory processing disorder (or maybe a delay?). I am also on the autism spectrum. My kids are on the same wave.