#AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ADHD HOW TO#

1ġ NIH Clinical Trials (Nemours Children's Clinic) | Stimulant Medication Effects on Auditory Sensitivity in Teens With ADHD So while some patients have seen improvement with their usual medication dosage, avoiding the possibility of over-medicating is more beneficial. If ADHD medication doesn't help, there are other conventional practices to aid you listed above. While some studies have shown that stimulants and other types of ADHD medication can alter someone's loudness perception, it isn't always helpful for everyone. You might even be able to get accommodations for this at work or in class. Try to inform the people in your life about your reactivity to distracting noises so they can address them and help you feel more comfortable. But, of course, this method doesn't work for everyone! If you're not able to focus normally with background sounds playing, that's totally okay. When overwhelmed by sounds, a common technique is blocking it with white noise or music that makes you feel safe and secure. Use white noise or music for background sounds. Some quick online browsing, and you can find an affordable pair of headphones! We've also linked some of the highest-ranked brands in our latest ADHD gift guide. Quality headphones can assist with hypersensitivity issues and are a great way to suppress excess noise that could interrupt your day.

#AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND ADHD HOW TO#

How to cope with sound sensitivities when everything is too loud As a result, these sensory processing challenges can make it harder for the ADHD brain to focus on tasks. However, ADHDers with sound sensitivities are also typically sensitive to other stimuli, such as bright lights or textures. People without neurodivergent conditions (aka 'neurotypicals') can be sensitive to sounds. While some people with ADHD may have difficulty processing auditory information, this is not a hallmark symptom of the condition. So, is your hypersensitivity to sound caused by ADHD?

High-pitched sounds (think - nails on a chalkboard).

Repetitive sounds, like loops in white noise.

Electric buzzes (do you ever 'hear the lights'?).

They can also experience physical reactions, such as an increased heart rate or muscle tension. For example, people with misophonia may experience anger, anxiety, or even nausea and disgust in response to triggering sounds. Misophonia is a condition in which certain sounds can trigger strong negative emotional reactions.

Certain preexisting medical conditions, such as tinnitus or Meniere's disease.

‍ Hyperacusis can be caused by several factors:

This can make ordinary sounds seem excessively loud or even painful, which may lead to stress, social anxiety, and isolation. Hyperacusis causes increased sensitivity to specific frequencies of sound, particularly those in the higher range. They may also struggle with tasks that require them to listen carefully, such as following instructions or learning new information. As a result, people experiencing APD may need help understanding spoken language, especially in noisy environments or when multiple people are talking simultaneously. Auditory processing disorder (APD)Īuditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty processing and interpreting sounds, including speech.

(Just because someone has ADHD doesn't mean they will have sensory processing issues.) Just because someone has auditory processing issues doesn't mean they have ADHD.Misophonia is a common experience in the ADHD community and occurs when someone experiences overstimulation after hearing certain sounds.Sensory sensitivities are frequently comorbid in people with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism.However, not everyone diagnosed with ADHD experiences this, as we are all unique and manifest ADHD differently. You may have heard this referred to as ' sensory overload' - when the sensory stimuli in your environment consumes you, breaking your focus, ruining your mood, or even causing physical pain. Sensitivity to sound, or ' misophonia,' is an emotional response to sounds typically unnoticed by others.

Auditory processing disorder and adhd