Noise Reduction Headphones and Autism: A Single Case Study

Otr, Carolyn Rowe Ma; Bcp, Catherine Candler PhD Otr; Otr, Marsha Neville PhD

doi:10.1080/19411243.2011.629551

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Rowe, Candler, and Neville (2011) found noise-reduction headphones to be effective in enhancing attention to task during independent classroom work of a boy with autism. However, this study was limited to one case, and interrater reliability of classroom observation was not established.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing participation of children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing sensory challenges: A clinical reasoning framework

Ashburner¹,

Rodger²,

Ziviani³

et al. 2014

Can J Occup Ther

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing participation of children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing sensory challenges: A clinical reasoning framework

Ashburner¹,

Rodger²,

Ziviani³

et al. 2014

Can J Occup Ther

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“…By providing a strategy that can be used on a day to day basis, individuals can develop the experiences and theoretically build the platform for successful participation. Though limited by small sample size and quasi-experimental design, past research implemented in natural environments identified positive behavioral and academic outcomes when using noise attenuating headphones in children with learning disabilities (Smith and Riccomini, 2013) and ASD (Rowe et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Intense and atypical responses to auditory stimuli can result in increased stress; avoidance of certain environments and interactions; decreased participation or engagement in key life activities and events; and distractibility impacting performance in home and school (Pfeiffer et al, 2019). These adverse effects on school performance and social interactions have been reported to influence overall quality of life (Grinker, 2007; Rowe et al, 2011; Smith and Riccomini, 2013). In a qualitative study by Landon et al (2016), adult participants with ASD and noise sensitivity (NS) described particular sounds as causing physical discomfort and frustration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research did find, however, that behavioral responses improved for children who perceived environmental noises (i.e., noisy classroom sounds) as noxious (Ikuta et al, 2016). Additionally, a single case design study identified an increase in attention to task for a child with ASD and auditory hypersensitivity when wearing the headphones (Rowe et al, 2011). Although this is often a low-cost and easily implemented intervention, there is limited research documenting its effectiveness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of Noise-Attenuating Headphones on Physiological Responses for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Pfeiffer

Duker

Murphy

et al. 2019

Front. Integr. Neurosci.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proof of concept of an intervention to decrease sympathetic activation as measured by skin conductivity (electrodermal activity, EDA) in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and auditory hypersensitivity (hyperacusis). In addition, researchers examined if the intervention provided protection against the negative effects of decibel level of environmental noises on electrodermal measures between interventions. The feasibility of implementation and outcome measures within natural environments were evaluated.Method: A single-subject multi-treatment design was used with six children, aged 8–16 years, with a form of Autism (i.e., Autism, PDD-NOS). Participants used in-ear (IE) and over-ear (OE) headphones for two randomly sequenced treatment phases. Each child completed four phases: (1) a week of baseline data collection; (2) a week of an intervention; (3) a week of no intervention; and (4) a week of the other intervention. Empatica E4 wristbands collected EDA data. Data was collected on 16–20 occasions per participant, with five measurements per phase.Results: Separated tests for paired study phases suggested that regardless of intervention type, noise attenuating headphones led to a significance difference in both skin conductance levels (SCL) and frequency of non-specific conductance responses (NS-SCRs) between the baseline measurement and subsequent phases. Overall, SCL and NS-SCR frequency significantly decreased between baseline and the first intervention phase. A protective effect of the intervention was tested by collapsing intervention results into three phases. Slope correlation suggested constant SCL and NS-SCR frequency after initial use of the headphones regardless of the increase in environmental noises. A subsequent analysis of the quality of EDA data identified that later phases of data collection were associated with better data quality.Conclusion: Many children with ASD have hypersensitivities to sound resulting in high levels of sympathetic nervous system reactivity, which is associated with problematic behaviors and distress. The findings of this study suggest that the use of noise attenuating headphones for individuals with ASD and hyperacusis may reduce sympathetic activation. Additionally, results suggest that the use of wearable sensors to collect physiological data in natural environments is feasible with established protocols and training procedures.

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“…A broad variety of study designs were used to evaluate the academic benefits of wearing NC headphones: five single case studies (Ikuta et al, 2016;O'Reilly et al, 2000;Pfeiffer, Stein Duker et al, 2019;Rowe et al, 2011;Smith, 2010), two randomized within-subject designs (Kollins, 2020;Smith & Riccomini, 2013), two interview studies (Pfeiffer, Erb et al, 2019;Smith & Classen, 2018), one interview/classroom observation study (Smith et al, 2018), one case study (Hooker, 1985), one pre-post-design study with no control group (McConnico et al, 2016), and one randomized controlled trial (Sumter, 1969).…”

Section: Study Designsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Academic benefits of wearing noise-cancelling headphones during class for typically developing students and students with special needs: A scoping review

Kulawiak

2021

Cogent Education

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Classroom noise impairs students' cognition and learning. At a first glance, it seems useful to prevent the negative effects of noise on academic learning by wearing noise-cancelling (NC) headphones during class. The literature and guidelines emphasize the academic benefits of wearing NC headphones (decreased auditory distraction, increased concentration, learning improvement, and decreased distress). These benefits are particularly expected for students with special needs. None of the recommendations to wear NC headphones during class refer to any empirical studies, indicating a potential research gap and lack of evidence. Therefore, the question arises: Is there any empirical evidence supporting academic benefits of wearing NC headphones during class for typically developing students or students with special needs? A total of 13 empirical studies (quantitative and qualitative) were identified through a systematic scoping review of the existing literature. A wide range of outcomes (cognition, learning, academic performance, behaviour, and emotions) were reported related to the use of NC headphones. Most of the studies refer to specific groups of students with special needs (learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, etc.). In view of the limited number of studies, small sample sizes, and lack of replication studies, all studies give the impression of being pilot studies on the academic benefits of wearing NC headphones. The

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Noise Reduction Headphones and Autism: A Single Case Study

Cited by 10 publications

References 7 publications

Optimizing participation of children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing sensory challenges: A clinical reasoning framework

Optimizing participation of children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing sensory challenges: A clinical reasoning framework

Effectiveness of Noise-Attenuating Headphones on Physiological Responses for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Academic benefits of wearing noise-cancelling headphones during class for typically developing students and students with special needs: A scoping review

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