Understanding Sound Sensitivity in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Literature on sound sensitivity in individuals with and without autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is reviewed in this article. Empirical evidence is examined, and physiologic and psychoemotional-behavioral perspectives are described. There is virtually no evidence of true physiological differences in auditory systems of individuals with ASD. It is evident, however, that many people with ASD (a) feel fearful and anxious about sound, and (b) may experience unpleasant physiological sensations because of autonomic and/or behavioral responses to nonpreferred sounds, but (c) can learn to react in less stigmatizing, more effectively self-regulating ways. Current assessment and intervention practices are discussed, and a case is presented. Heightened understanding of this issue among caregivers and interventionists may ultimately improve life participation for individuals with ASD.

The Sensory Experiences of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis

“…Misophonia is a negative physiological and emotional reaction to sound (Bernstein, Angell, & Dehle, 2013) which has been reported in the general population. There has been some discussion of a possible relationship between misophonia and autism (Steigler & Davis, 2010) …”

Effects of a consistent target or masker voice on target speech intelligibility in two- and three-talker mixtures

“…In future experiments, it would be useful to examine whether, and how, a constant voice can improve speech intelligibility in populations of individuals with difficulty understanding speech in multitalker situations; such groups include older adults (Helfer and Freyman, 2008) and individuals with autism spectrum disorders (Stiegler and Davis, 2010).…”

Otoacoustic Emissions in Young Children with Autism

“…Indeed, the existence of unusual sensorial responses is considered a trait that accompanies autism [2,8] . For example, children with autism may show hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity to touch or textures, lights, and sounds [7][8][9][10] .…”

“…In addition, some individuals with autism have been reported to show enhanced frequency discrimination skills [13] . Various reactions, such as covering of ears with hands, crying, increased muscle tone, and disruptive and aggressive behaviors, are accepted as indicators of intolerance to auditory stimuli in individuals with autism [9,14] .…”