When Loud Noises Feel Like Too Much
Loud noises can feel like an assault to little ears.
You might notice your child covering their ears, pressing one ear toward their shoulder, humming, talking to themselves, or suddenly becoming overwhelmed in busy spaces. From the outside, these reactions can look dramatic or disruptive.
They’re not.
They’re sensory.
What Auditory Sensitivity Looks Like
For some kids, the world is simply louder.
Their nervous system takes in everything (voices, background noise, movement, music, toys) and struggles to sort out what matters most. When too many sounds compete for attention, the brain can’t keep up.
Covering ears or blocking sound isn’t defiance.
It’s protection.
When Noise Isn’t Just Noise
Sometimes it helps to think of sound like visual clutter.
A messy room filled with toys can be overwhelming to look at. In the same way, a room filled with overlapping sounds can overwhelm a child’s auditory system. Reducing unnecessary noise can make it easier for them to hear what actually matters.
Less sound means less work for the brain.
Why Some Kids Make Their Own Noise
Not all kids respond to auditory overload by shutting it out. Some hum. Some talk to themselves. Some get louder.
This isn’t attention-seeking. It’s organizing.
By creating predictable sound, these kids are trying to bring order to an environment that feels chaotic. They’re regulating in the only way they know how.
How to Support Both Types of Kids
Whether a child is sensitive to noise or creating their own, the goal is the same: help their nervous system settle.
That might mean:
Reducing background noise when possible
Getting closer instead of yelling across a room
Breaking language into shorter, clearer phrases
Using gentle social touch to cue attention
Letting kids know it’s okay to ask for a break
Support doesn’t have to be loud to be effective.
It’s Not Naughty. It’s Sensory.
If your child hums, covers their ears, talks loudly, or seems overwhelmed by sound, they’re not being difficult. They’re trying to regulate an auditory system that’s working overtime.
With the right strategies, kids learn how to process sound more comfortably and daily life gets easier.
If auditory sensitivity is impacting your child’s routines or comfort, Prairie Grit Therapy offers free developmental and sensory screens. We’re always here to help guide the next step.