Hyposensitivity in Autism: Loud Sounds and Self-Regulation

An Autistic Person Likes Loud Sounds: An Unsurprising Paradox

As a rule, autistic individuals react negatively to bright lights or excessive noise, which may feel overwhelming or even painful. Sometimes, however, ordinary stimuli are not sufficient for the sensory system, which requires additional activation. Loud sounds can provide this stimulation.

• The primary reason for an interest in loud sounds in autism is hyposensitivity, in which a child does not perceive sounds as intensely as other people do. Increasing the volume provides the sensory system with the necessary “boost” that it would not otherwise receive. Hearing itself may be completely normal. This characteristic gives the child an opportunity not only to hear a sound but also to physically “feel” it, particularly through vibrations and acoustic pressure.
• Loud sounds can also serve as a fascinating way to explore the surrounding world through sensory experiences. Curiosity plays a role as well: the child may be interested in discovering what different objects sound like when tapped or struck.
• By producing or listening to loud sounds, some children engage in self-regulation. This can help them calm down, cope with anxiety, manage an excess of positive or negative emotions, or, conversely, become more alert and obtain the stimulation and energy they feel they need.
• Predictability and control are also important factors. The child creates the sound themselves, knows what to expect, and feels that the environment is under their control.
• While certain loud sounds may frighten some children, such as the noise of a vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, engine, or certain types of loud music, these same sounds may become a “special interest” for others, characterized by unusual depth and intensity.

Naturally, most parents are not delighted by the constant noise in their homes. However, such behavior should not be prohibited abruptly. If a child is not offered alternatives to loud sounds, they may experience anxiety and stress, especially when auditory stimulation serves a self-regulatory function.

• Before making any decisions, it is important to observe the child’s behavior and analyze when and why they are drawn to loud sounds, as well as which specific sounds they prefer. Does this behavior begin when they are bored, anxious, excited, or trying to explore the world around them? The answer to these questions will determine the most appropriate support strategy.
• In some cases, it may be sufficient to offer safe alternatives that do not disturb others. These can include listening to music through headphones, which also allows volume control, playing musical instruments—especially percussion instruments—or using vibrating toys that produce humming sounds, as well as engaging in noisy games.
• The child may also enjoy recordings of transportation sounds, household appliances, or nature. At the same time, it may be possible to redirect this interest through physical activity. Jumping on a trampoline, running, jumping, and swinging provide powerful proprioceptive stimulation, which can sometimes satisfy the same need that loud sounds fulfill.
• Autistic children should not be left without supervision in this regard. If headphones are used, it is important to protect their hearing. Models with noise-canceling technology are particularly useful because they reduce background sounds and eliminate the need to listen to music at maximum volume. These considerations should be clearly explained to the child so they understand what should be done and why. It is also important to clarify, possibly with the help of visual supports, that making or listening to loud sounds and music may be appropriate in their room or on a playground, but not in a library, school, store, or late in the evening. Finally, even when a child enjoys loud sounds, signs of overstimulation—such as excessive excitement, anxiety, or covering their ears after hearing a sound—should be monitored, since this interest can itself lead to sensory overload.

If this characteristic significantly affects the daily life of the child and family or creates difficulties in relationships with others, it is important to discuss it with an occupational therapist who can help identify the child’s sensory profile and develop support strategies, a psychologist who can determine whether the attraction to loud sounds is a form of stimming or communication and whether it is connected to anxiety, and an audiologist who can assess hearing and confirm that the hyposensitivity does not have a physiological cause.

An autistic person’s attraction to loud sounds is part of their sensory experience of the world. The task of parents is to help satisfy this need in a safe and socially acceptable way. An even more important consideration is that such behavior is linked to the influence of autism spectrum disorder, which manifests itself differently in every individual. As long as the condition continues to affect all aspects of the child’s life, meaningful improvement is unlikely.

The fastest and most reliable form of assistance is cellular therapy, an innovative minimally invasive intervention whose effectiveness significantly exceeds that of traditionally used approaches. It involves the transplantation of stem cells, the body’s fundamental building blocks, distinguished by their ability to transform into any other type of cell. During the subsequent process, damaged cells responsible for autism symptoms are gradually replaced by healthy counterparts.

As a result, the brain and nervous system gain the ability to function normally. Behavior becomes more regulated, overall development accelerates, skills develop and improve more rapidly, and the manifestations of autism become less pronounced or often disappear altogether. These outcomes can be observed for years and, in many cases, persist throughout life, increasing the effectiveness of other corrective interventions.

It should be noted that patients receive their own stem cells, eliminating the possibility of rejection and making the procedure safe. The therapy is also highly natural because it is designed solely to stimulate the body’s innate regenerative capabilities. These advantages have contributed to cellular therapy becoming widely recognized and potentially developing into a primary method of addressing autism and its manifestations.

It is therefore not surprising that leading clinics around the world, including the Mardaleishvili Medical Center, have adopted this approach. Over the years, the center has accumulated extensive successful experience in stem cell transplantation through the application of cellular therapy. Procedures are performed by highly qualified specialists using state-of-the-art equipment, enabling the best possible outcomes. The standard of care meets the strictest requirements, while treatment remains more affordable than in many countries with advanced healthcare systems. Additional advantages of the center include its convenient location and comprehensive assistance with travel planning and other matters, including accommodation arrangements during the rehabilitation period, which is typically relatively short.

Undergo cellular therapy—and enjoy sounds at an ordinary volume level!