Skip to main content
Close Button
Donate
  • Replies 10 replies
  • Subscribers 100 subscribers
  • Views 694 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Autistic adult - seeking advice on load/unbearable noises

Meg
9 months ago

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone can help me/give advice on this matter 

Yesterday there was this alarm going off in the shop/shop next to me (idk where it went off exactly) but it was insanely load. Loader than the fire alarm at work. We were made to leave the shop while Thinkingwas going off with the door to it closing (idk what was going on other than someone saying it was a fire alarm and wait for instructions, mind I think it was a faulty alarm) Thinking 

Anyway, this alarm was very load. Too loud for my liking. It made me feel dizzy, scared, a bit sick and made me wanna curl up in a ball and cry. Luckily I was with someone I know, so I was clinging onto them when it was happening. Also it made me start having an attack, I um unsure on how to describe it other than it felt near enough like a panic attack. I would normally cover my ears if a noise is too much for me but unfortunately I was unable to do so this time.

Ofc I tried to calm myself down by using breathing technique, but it's the noise was unbearable Disappointed

I found it a bit overwhelming on a busy buss with lots of people talking. However I've been told by my parents that I never liked load noises, but honestly I don't remember and just don't understand.

I am diagnosed with Asperger's (Autism) when I was about 8 and now in my mid 20's I'm learning more and more about myself. Along with trying to learn how I can help myself in these situations 

Is there any ideas how I can help/cope with such noises in these situations other than breathing techniques? 

  • 9 months ago in reply to Meg

    When I started wearing big headphones out and about I suddenly noticed how many other people of all ages were doing the same and started to wonder if some of them might also be autistic 

  • 9 months ago in reply to SheepPF

    Thank you Blush Ive just been told, by my mum, that she's may be getting me some ear defenders as a early Christmas present. 

    I'm a little nervous on wearing them (mind they look like headphones) as I've only seen one adult wearing a pair when I'm out and about. Most of the time it's kids. As well as that I never worn any when I was younger. Im not too bothered about it, other than hopefully they would help Smile

  • 9 months ago

    I used to have earplugs a while back—I lost them—and, despite being quite difficult to insert and remove (I think that varies and depends on which earplugs you get), they do work quite fairly well for me. For breathing techniques, I'm afraid that I don't really know much about it.

  • 9 months ago

    If you have a mobile phone and look for and purchase unobtrusive Bluetooth earphones, and have your favourite music loaded and ready to play, or have a white noise App ready to play this might help. If you talk to HR about your sensitivity due to ASD I am sure you will find them sympathetic to your use of earphones at work.

  • 9 months ago in reply to Autonomistic

    Thank you and yes at the time I was too overwhelmed. 

    But I now know what to do next time, as well as telling others (who I tend to be with) how they can help me if I'm in that kind of situation again.

    Sadly with yesterday, I couldn't move away from the sound as the person who was with me was about to pay for some stuff just when the alarm went off. As of this and that I was too overwhelmed, I didn't Pensivehave the energy to move away from the noise Pensive

    I will definitely look into some noise cancelling headphones/ earplugs for myself Blush

  • 9 months ago

    What you are experiencing is sensory overload. It can feel like a panic attack, in that your body is trying to get you away from the unbearable sensory assault. However unlike a panic attack breathing techniques are unlikely to help in such a situation.

    Meg said:
    I would normally cover my ears if a noise is too much for me but unfortunately I was unable to do so this time.

    I'm assuming you were just too overwhelmed to think of doing so at the time.

    The best thing you can do is to use some form of ear protection and then move as far away from the noise as possible, until the level begins to be tolerable. It helps to have someone with you if you are not aware of traffic and danger while you are in that state.

    I am extremely noise sensitive too and I have a variety of things I use to help with that, such as earplugs, ear defenders and noise cancelling headphones. Whenever I go out I always wear some earplugs on a cord around my neck, then if there is an unexpected noise I can access them very quickly.

  • 9 months ago

    Good morning Meg

    A few years I had an advanced warning for the fire alarm going off. 

    The breathing technique may help you is the 4-7-8

    Find somewhere comfortable to sit. If you can, close your eyes.

    Breathe in through your nose to the count of four.

    Hold the breath to the count of seven.

    Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight.

    Hope this helps you:)

    I don't like loud noise myself especially music in the shops. I try to go to the shops during vulnerable hour where supposed to be quiet. 

  • 9 months ago

    I’m very bothered by noise as well and the only thing I’ve found that helps is wearing noise cancelling headphones or Loop earplugs.