Adult Asperger’s Video 7. Living in a Bubble – Living with Asperger’s Sensitivity to Noise and Sound
Welcome back to my video series about mild autism spectrum disorder in adults based on my book “Living in a Bubble”. Let’s continue from where we left off in our last video together…
Living with Asperger’s Sensitivity to Noise and Sound
Often those on the spectrum are over or under-sensitive (or both) to sound. Certain sound and noise processing problems can have a major impact on one’s life leading to headaches, pain, stress and anxiety. Often a person with ASD might not even realise what the problem is. What they have is in fact a sensory overload that is translated into irritation or possibly aggression (or “challenging” behaviour).
Hearing problems – Auditory Agnosia
Auditory agnosia manifests itself primarily in the inability to recognise or differentiate between sounds. It is not a defect of the ear or hearing, but a neurological inability of the brain to process sound meaning. This can be particularly a challenge for those on the spectrum.
Meaning and decoding challenges
Some people on the spectrum have challenges with language which means that they sometimes can’t understand and decode certain words and they might often just be interpreted as sounds. This is often the case when under pressure.
Tone
Others with ASD can have a problem with understanding and interpreting tone (musically or with the spoken word). Challenges including accurate decoding of inflection, subtlety, emphasis and, often, implied meaning. This means that subtext and undertone can be beyond the sophistication level of some on the spectrum and a challenge for others, who will often need clear, concise and direct language to act upon and understand.
Sound and noise overload
Many people on the spectrum have a major problem with filtering out sound which people not on the spectrum naturally filter out or can easily ignore. This means that a situation can be extremely painful for someone on the spectrum and totally fine for others in the vicinity without the same challenge. We are often overloading with different streams simultaneously and have awareness of them completely. People on the spectrum can have an under-sensitivity or over-sensitivity to noise to such an extent that things can become muddled and sounds confused and distorted. Conversely we can often hear conversations from a distance and might have a problem switching off from that meaning that we can’t concentrate on what we should be concentrating on or something that needs our immediate attention. This situation is often physically painful and very uncomfortable. Or it can be reversed. For example, when I perform I need to have the music at an extremely high level – so that the backing dancers and band wear protective ear plugs. I need to feel and hear the music powerfully when I perform and I want it to drown out the audience. So, if I hear the audience (except when they are roaring or screaming) I do not like it. I use one type of sound to block out another.
Advice and Tips
1) Controlling your environment. As best as you can, take control of your home environment and create a safe space for recuperation and relaxation. Identify issues and solve them. If they cannot be resolved then move out. Direct tip: I once shared a house and the noise really affected me so I decided to hang lots of clothes on the door (noise was on the other side of the door) and then I purchased a sleeping bag… but not to sleep in, to place on the door when I was reading or working. This really worked as a sound barrier. It wasn’t perfect, but it took the “edge” off the noise.
2) The obvious things. If noise is a problem and it can’t be resolved remove yourself from the situation. You are responsible for your own wellbeing so if you need to escape and move, do it!
3) Moving into a new place. This is an important one. If you are moving into a new apartment or property, take a look at the street before you even consider it. Is it a busy street with traffic? Are there restaurants nearby with possible extractor fans (cause smell AND sound). Without doubt the most important thing to look out for is the dreaded scaffolding! If there is scaffolding anywhere nearby the building, move on. Don’t even risk it! Look at all of the buildings in the surrounding area, not just the front. Also, if you are moving into a shared building, try and go for a top floor apartment on the corner. These things might help because psychologically you will know that, at the very least, there will be no people above you and on at least two sides of you. If this is not possible then try your best to get as close to this as you can. Also, tell any landlords or estate agents that you have challenges with regards to this issue, in advance. This means that you will have a better chance or resolving, or moving out quickly, if noise becomes a problem.
4) Therapy. Try cognitive-behavioural or occupational therapy to resolve any psychological issues with regard to noise and sound which might be causing additional (beyond physiological) issues.
5) Painfully loud people in restaurants. Just move or walk away!
6) Covering your ears. Cover your ears when you anticipate fire engine and ambulance sirens – this really works! Also, interestingly, I find that people around me will copy me when I do this because it even hurts people’s ears that are not on the spectrum too.
7) Earplugs. Earplugs are an option, especially at home or if you go to an entertainment or music venue.
8) Ask friends to pre-warn you. My best friend does this all the time! It is actually funny because he will inform me of the smallest sound he is going to make that doesn’t even affect me! I see the funny side and actually really appreciate the consideration he shows. For example, he will say “I’m just about to turn on the blender” and then he will close the door. This kind of consideration is LIFE CHANGING, as a lot of the problem is surprise and the feeling of dealing with this on your own. When you know you are not alone and people care and are not out to hurt you, it helps.
9) Communication. Communication is key. People don’t like to be told what to do or feel but if you give someone an opportunity to help, by explaining your condition and problem, they will often change their behaviour.
Thank you for joining me today. We’ll continue with more in our next video. See you then.