Jan 1, 2025
It Took Me Years to Realize That Not Everyone Can Hear the Buzzing of Electricity
Neurodivergent Lou
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It Took Me Years to Realize That Not Everyone Can Hear the Buzzing of Electricity
Neurodivergent Lou
I kinda wish more allistics understood how auditory processing can be triggered not necessarily by volume but by a SPECIFIC sound. Someone in the same room can yell something loudly without bothering me. But if they whisper or murmur under their breathe?? That's SO MUCH WORSE. It's extremely uncomfortable for me and they'd think "So I'll be quieter" but that's actually even worse. Whispering/humming is definitely a Bad Sound for me
ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
THIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSS
Bad =/= Loud this is not a hard concept
Why do they have this misconception?
Surely they must understand that some sounds are bad without being loud? Their favorite example is nails on a chalkboard, that’s not a LOUD sound, it’s just bad! But also there are some other REALLY AWFUL sounds that aren’t loud at all, that I’m sure allistics would agree are awful! Like microphone feedback. Horrible sound! Even if it’s quiet, still horrible! Babies crying. Awful sound, drives everybody crazy! Doesn’t matter how “quiet” it is, still awful!
I can’t handle whispering AT ALL, any noise that sounds like a wet mouth is just NO. No chewing, no whispering, no whistling, no humming, NO MOUTH NOISES MAKE IT STOP.
Meanwhile, some REALLY LOUD sounds are beautiful. A thundering waterfall! So loud I can’t even hear you talk! (that’s probably why I love it, lol!). Crickets! Super loud, also comforting! A live orchestra! Super loud! But beautiful!
Loud sounds can be good, quiet sounds can be bad, and DEAR GOD PLEASE DON’T WHISPER!
Is it an autism thing to not be able to chew food and listen to people at the same time - it is too noisy
Yes, this can be an autism thing. If you are sensitive to auditory input, it can be distracting to have too much auditory input at one time which can make completing tasks (like chewing food) difficult or impossible.
-Sabrina
So, my sister, who has autism, has this "tic" (idk if that's what its called) where she needs to make a noise with her throat to satisfy a physical sensory issue. The problem is, me, who also has autism, is triggered into a full sensory overload when she does them. Any advice on what I can do?
Oh gosh, that is such a difficult situation. This situation is called “competing needs”. It happens whenever there are two or more people with accommodation needs that conflict with one another.
As a person who greatly struggles with audio input, especially biological sounds, I completely understand. For me the sound is people chewing. I can’t stand it, I can’t listen to it, I would rather rip my ears off (and sometimes I feel like I’ve tried).
But obviously, my partner needs to eat. So when he does, I put on my headphones. In fact that is the way to handle any sound input that is intolerable. Headphones or earbuds. Put them in, flip on white noise, and just drown it out.
The hard part is giving yourself permission to do it. Put them on. Drown it out. You do not have to sit there with unprotected ears. Protect them. You’re allowed. Go ahead. If people want to talk to you, then they can text you, or write. I make people text me. I am protecting my ears right now, and I will not put my brain in danger just because you want to talk to me. If you have something to say, write it.
My favorite white noise app is A Soft Murmur. It’s a free website, and also a free app you can put on your phone (if you pay money you can get extra sounds, but the ones that are free are plenty enough for me). There are also tons of others, just google “White Noise Generator” and you’ll get a million of them. It’s better than a song because even a samesong has volume changes in it. Whitenoise is just a nice sound that stays the same and drowns out the world.
When your sister starts making the tic, (and that is what it’s called), either leave the room, or if you want to be in the same room as her, put on your ear protectors.
You can even use earplugs if you like, or ear defenders. These lessen the noises in the room but don’t block it out completely. This helps some people, but for me it’s not enough. So I do the white noise, that will completely block it out.
Homemade popping silly putty! So fun! Happy stimming.
Miriam, Mod
this is a hardcore recommendation for albinwhisperland, a YouTube channel
Ooh, I didn’t know that she does ASMR videos! I personally love ASMR videos, they’re so relaxing and help me fall asleep. Also, sometimes I get head tingles that kinda feel like someone is playing with my hair, and that’s nice, too nwn
Thank you for the recommendation!
I also like WhispersRedASMR, I think she’s my favourite channel.
Does anyone else find ASMR videos relaxing?
Liesel, Mod.
Some ideas for sensory activities for people with auditory processing issues.
Liesel, Mod.