| Kids with auditory sensitivities may want to wear | | | | may want to do an internet search to find them in the |
| earplugs not just when there is a lot of distracting | | | | smallest sizes. |
| noise, such as a restaurant, but in places where | | | | If background noise makes it difficult for a sensory |
| unexpected loud sounds can disturb them: public | | | | child to fall asleep or focus on schoolwork, you can |
| bathrooms with toilets that flush loudly, parties where | | | | use a white noise machine, a radio turned to static, a |
| balloons pop, and so on. Contrary to popular belief, | | | | fan, or an aquarium to provide masking for distressing |
| earplugs do not block out all sound. They simply | | | | and distracting sounds. Experiment with music |
| reduce overall volume. Foam earplugs are cheap and | | | | designed specifically to improve focusing, such as |
| easily found in drugstores, and you can teach your | | | | Hemi-Sync Metamusic®. New Age music or nature |
| child with sensory issues how to roll them between her | | | | sounds may help some children with SPD focus better, |
| fingers to make them smaller and then insert them into | | | | or they may distract them further. Work with the child |
| the ear. While you don't want your child to become | | | | to find the music that enhances his focusing ability. |
| used to wearing earplugs all the time, in particularly | | | | Observe his responses and ask him if the music is |
| challenging situations they can be a real stressbuster | | | | helping or hindering him. |
| for the sensory child with auditory sensitivities. | | | | The information contained in this article is provided as a |
| Noise cancellation headphones are not only a great | | | | public service. It is for informational and educational |
| idea for concerts and Monster Truck® shows, but | | | | purposes only. This information should not be |
| for sensory breaks where the child has a strong need | | | | construed as personal medical advice. Because each |
| to block out background noise and reduce auditory | | | | person's health needs are different, a health care |
| stimulation. These block far more noise than do | | | | professional should be consulted before acting on any |
| earplugs so use them judiciously, ideally under the | | | | information provided in these materials. Although every |
| guidance of a sensory smart OT who can set up a | | | | effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate |
| sensory diet that incorporates breaks from auditory | | | | and up-to-date, it is provided for the convenience of |
| stimulation. Noise cancelling headphones can typically | | | | the user and should not be considered definitive. |
| be found for $15-35 in hardware stores although you | | | | |