Headphones & Sound Sensitivities: Help or Hindrance?
Why Audiologists Advise Caution
Traditionally, audiologists recommend limiting the use of noise-cancelling headphones, especially when used in isolation or for long periods. Here’s why:
· Auditory Deprivation: Prolonged use can reduce the brain’s exposure to everyday sounds.
· Lower Sound Tolerance: Over time, this can lead to increased sensitivity to everyday sounds.
· Missed Learning Opportunities: Children wearing headphones my miss out on incidental learning, which is informal learning that happens through overhearing conversations.
· Reinforced Avoidance: Overuse of headphones could increase anxiety around sound exposure and reinforce avoidance behaviors.
Despite these concerns, many families and professionals have found that strategic use of headphones can be helpful.
“Without headphones, my child wouldn’t have been able to participate in everyday activities or school. The headphones helped them stay calm, engage more, and feel in control.”
–shared by a colleague from the WI LEND Program
Tools & Tips
- Use headphones strategically, not all day. Examples include cafeterias, assemblies, or other high stress situations.
- If your child is older and can tolerate ear canal impressions, consider custom musician’s plugs from an audiologist.
- Play low-level calming sounds through the headphones to avoid auditory deprivation. The key is to find a sound that does not evoke a negative emotional reaction. Try:
- Red, pink, or brown noise
- Rainfall or ocean waves
- Instrumental music or chimes
- Create quiet zones at home or school for calming down.
- Use visual schedules to prepare your child for noisy situations.
- Track which sounds trigger your child and when.
- Use fidget toys or other sensory tools to support self-regulation.
- Older children may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy techniques from a counselor or psychologist to build coping skills and reduce anxiety around sounds
Dr. Jon Douglas specializes in tinnitus, hyperacusis & misophonia management, hearing aid technology, and vestibular evaluations. With over 19 years of academic and clinical experience, Dr. Douglas is deeply committed to providing evidence-based audiological care that improves the lives of patients affected by hearing, balance, and sound sensitivity disorders.