2 1/2 y/o anxiety & noise sensitivity

I have a 2 1/2 year old son who has very specific noise sensitivies (mainly, clapping and laughing).  This has become a problem at birthday parties, as the "yay" and clapping at the end of the birthday song, sets him off EVERY time!  He seems to have a lot of anxiety about these things and will perseverate about them in anticipation or after they have occurred.  We are unsure about whether this is a sensory problem or a learned behavior.  Does anyone have experience or advice in this area?  And, if so, any ideas about how to overcome these anxieties? Thanks!

[rebbecca]

my son now 8 has always been very sensitive to noises even when he was a baby. everything seemed fine with him when i toke he to the doctors. he just doesnt like loud noises. I wouldnt worry to much about it. What about getting his ears tested? good luck

[kiwij66]

My son is 2 and also has a high sensitivity to noise. Specifically people laughing and talking. He says "people Noisy" and "people too loud" and gets very upset and cries. Have you had any answers from anyone yet?  It is making it difficult to go to any social situations like playgroups, restaurants etc.

[jdtm]

I doubt if it is a learned behaviour.  It probably is a sensory issue and is very common in children who are sensitive or suffer from anxiety.  I might suggest an excellent book - "the highly sensitive child" by Elaine N. Aron which can be purchased on-line, at a bookstore, or borrowed from your public library.  Also, if you google the title of the book or the author's name, you should get more information.  Children do not outgrow their sensitivities nor will it go away, but children can learn to "manage" these issues so these issues are not such a burden in their daily lives.

[momagain59]

I would schedule an appointment with an Occupational Therapist to have him tested for Sensory Intergration. Both of these children sound like they have sensory issues. A good Occupational Therapist can work with these children concerning these issues. I have gotten several good books off of Ebay about Sensory Problems. If insurance is a problem, you can always read what they do to help and try to mimic their solutions.

[momofLandE]

Yes, my 3 1/2 year old son has been bothered by clapping and certain other loud sounds since infancy.  Back then he would cry in church whenever the congregation applauded, now he sits in church with his hands over his ears during the majority of the service because of the potential of clapping.  Several people have told us that their children did something similar when young and then they outgrew it.  Our son also has refused to go to Sunday School because during the music time they might sing a certain song that is loud and people always clap at the end.  More recently I accidentally set off the smoke alarm when cooking, and now our son frequently has trouble going to sleep and wakes frequently during the night because he is afraid the smoke alarm will start.  Since this has become a big problem for our family, we have had our son's ears tested by an audiologist, with no problems found.  We have an appointment next week to meet with an OT, upon recommendation of our family physician.  We're hoping we'll gain more ways to help cope with the situation.  Lastly, my three brothers have always been sensitive to sounds, leading us to avoid fireworks when growing up, as well as getting used to my brothers sit with their hands over their ears at parades or other places emergency vehicles may sound their sirens.  Could there be a genetic link?

[kgsstein]

I also have a 2 year that has been covering his ears, saying "too loud"  to everything from the beep in the car door, to us singing to him, to airplanes overhead and traffic on the street.  He about lost it when we sang happy birthday to him last week.  I have a daughter that has sensory processing disorder and I don't feel like he is having the same issues as she did.  It's different so I am looking for more information.  I have also made an appointment with and ENT and will be looking at allergies as well.  So many issues related to hearing it is hard to pin down.  In anycase I will keep posting when I get more information.

If you are concerned about SPD, a good book to start with is "The Sensory Sensitive Child."

[Euge30]

I would appreciate very much if someone has any more information on this subject. I have a child who just turned 3, and is recently afraid of any kind of noise which is a little bit loud, I became aware of this situation last month when we went to see some fireworks, which triggered this kind of fear. I´m very worried that his problem can get worse if I don´t find out a way to help him, because now, many common noises are being a problem for him and he simply wants to run away. Thanks!

[Fudge139]

My son is 9 years old and if we go somewhere that will be noisy he has what looks to me like a panic attack.  For example we went to a tribute concert for Michael Jackson the other night.  He was fine when we arrived and was fine while waiting for the act to come on.  When the act came on and the lights went off and the music started he insisted on going out to the toilets where he felt he was going to vomit.  He went very pale and was breathing very quickly.  I got him to take deep breaths and brought hime back into the concert where he lay on my lap with his hands over his ears for the first 5 or 6 songs and then eventually came round and enjoyed the rest of the concert.  This has happend on previous occasions and he has had a hearing test done which came back clear.  We are currently waiting for a noise intollerance test.  My doctor thinks it could be physchological like a fear of crowded plalces but I disagree as he is a very outgoing child and has no problem with the crowds before the lights go off and the show goes on.  I'm not sure what to do as it's ruining these events for him when he was so excited about it. He says they make his ears hurt and when he walks the ground feels soft????