If anyone is interested in understanding what levels are damaging, here is a chart: https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/dailyexposure.pdf
The RED is dangerous. Here's how to read this.
1. On the Left are decibel levels. You can get an App with a Sound Meter to find out what levels you are being exposed to in a movie theatre or in a shop. This is one of many: apps.apple.com/.../id448155923
2. Across the top is the Length of Exposure to that level before permanent damage occurs.
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Autistic Children are EXTREMELY sensitive. They should not be forced to be desensitised, as they cannot. Forcing a child to Modern Sound Levels is the kind of thing which happens in prison camps. Autistic Brains do not filter out signals and noise and frequencies the same a non-autistics. And while it's OK to expose them to a new record or an acoustic instrument or a classical piece - all at Safe Levels, it is the level and the frequency (note: the frequency is not on the chart) which can cause permanent damage.
A high pitched electrical buzzing from lights, wiring, the fridge, which you can no longer hear, but your autistic child can, can be like someone walking around behind them with a referee whistle. It's not "pleasant". The Sound Meter I recommended will have a "frequency spectrum". Sometimes the sound is louder in another corner where the high pitched frequency is echoing. Opening a window can also be a relief for trapped sound.
I have clocked decibel levels in public toilets recently. The new hand dryers with these Jet-Like engines are the same level AS a jet engine- 124dB!!! That's OFF the chart the government has made available to download.
Please buy your children all kinds of hearing protection!! Always bring it with you. Allow them to wear it where ever they wish and put it on them before going into a loud space. Things are different these days than they were in 1980.
