Three Year Old Sensitive to Noise

[Doingitagain]

I am looking for suggestions on what to avoid and any tips for a three and a half year old who is sensitive to loud noise and chaotic situations. We are going for a week at the end of March and staying at Copper Creek. We are having 4 park days and 2 resort/character dining days.

It is interesting because loud noise in itself isn't always an issue, it is when there are multiple sources of noise. She is going to an audiologist before our trip to see if there is an underlying issue. I am not looking at a full DAS experience, just some suggestions to improve the experience for a child who covers her ears during the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

[HopperFan]

I am looking for suggestions on what to avoid and any tips for a three and a half year old who is sensitive to loud noise and chaotic situations. We are going for a week at the end of March and staying at Copper Creek. We are having 4 park days and 2 resort/character dining days.

It is interesting because loud noise in itself isn't always an issue, it is when there are multiple sources of noise. She is going to an audiologist before our trip to see if there is an underlying issue. I am not looking at a full DAS experience, just some suggestions to improve the experience for a child who covers her ears during the Pledge of Allegiance.

They make children's silicone ear plugs, meaning you can pull them apart and make them fit perfectly. They are used by my son on a regular basis for even the lowest of noise to us but it helps him.

Add headphones during higher noise levels or when she asks. Lots of them for small children now in great colors. She could pick out a color and you could, if crafty, add Mickey ears or other decor so they are fun for her. Amazon actually sells music ones that have ears already. You could cut the cord off. When my son needed lots of extra buffer we had a iPod with Disney music on it so the music created an extra layer of protection.

And try to avoid the worst sounds like fireworks or watch from afar.

One thing to key on is that she might start to associate the noise/pain with visual cues like the buses, certain areas where there are more people etc so she might react even before you engage with the noise because she is anticipating based on the surroundings. My son's worse noise trigger is human noise so for years he wouldn't enter a school bus, or theater or stadium. He associated those places with his pain. We learned to shift gears based on his reactions.

 

[herdtoDisney]

My 7yo dd has autism and she has had headphones since she was about 3. Google kids noise reduction headphones-there are many available and typically under $30 or so. She finds them soft and comfortable enough.

I keep them in my bag when we go places that have noisy situations (like Disney) and just take them out if needed.

 

[sponica]

I would definitely look into ear buds/headphones.

Avoid dining at on peak times, if you can. This one might be harder with a 3 year old as I know they need to eat at pretty specific times (well my kids do, or they turn into gremlins). I feel like the worst places for noise for sit down restaurants are Be our Guest and Le Cellier.

My daughter had the absolute worst time with the noise of the busses, for some reason. She was fine when she was on the bus, but the sounds they made when approaching OR kneeling set her over the edge.

 

[Anna131517]

Toddler ear protection and a stroller with a good cover where she feels safe and can block out the commotion around her.

 

[Rory607]

Headphones for sure! My 8 year old started using them for fireworks and other loud situations as a toddler and they helped so much. I will still be bringing them on our upcoming Disney trip, just in case. I don’t really think he’ll need them, but he feels better knowing he has the option.

 

[lowlight]

Puro quiets, they are made for that age and noise canceling.

 

[sweetmama17]

Toddler ear protection and a stroller with a good cover where she feels safe and can block out the commotion around her.

This. Being able to make sure she has a safe space and being aware of places around you where you can get out of the chaos. My son is pretty sensitive but is ok most of the time. He loves his big headphones to enjoy louder environments like fireworks.

I will say as a pediatric audiologist who sees referrals due to sensitivity to loud sounds that a hearing test will test the ability to hear soft soft not determine a level of sound intolerance. We mostly refer to occupational therapy for sensory concerns. It is a topic close to my heart and I do hope more research comes out to better address hearing sensitivity concerns.

 

[Lilsia]

Ear coverings, as others have said. If she will not tolerate those then I would not go. It's not even about the lines(which is what DAS helps with) because there are loud noises all over the parks. Anyone can pass by and start laughing loudly, or another kid can start screaming, there is a lot of that in the parks and there is no way to avoid it. The parks are noise overload from all directions. Music is playing, people are talking, kids are screaming, etc. I don't have hearing sensitivity but have noticed it more as I get older how much noise there is. Have you taken you child to other places with large crowds and noise to see how she does? In all honestly, if she is really as bad as you say, then I would not take her until you can figure out what is going on and what can be done.

 

[Anna131517]

Ear coverings, as others have said. If she will not tolerate those then I would not go. It's not even about the lines(which is what DAS helps with) because there are loud noises all over the parks. Anyone can pass by and start laughing loudly, or another kid can start screaming, there is a lot of that in the parks and there is no way to avoid it. The parks are noise overload from all directions. Music is playing, people are talking, kids are screaming, etc. I don't have hearing sensitivity but have noticed it more as I get older how much noise there is. Have you taken you child to other places with large crowds and noise to see how she does? In all honestly, if she is really as bad as you say, then I would not take her until you can figure out what is going on and what can be done.

This is so true. My daughter is noise sensitive but can handle large crowded places with a little adjustment. My niece, however, cannot handle loud places at all. We took her to an amusement park over Halloween and her parents needed to leave because she was just crying the whole time.

 

[martikus]

Noise reducing headphones made all the difference for my son. Went from refusing to ride anything to everything. He’d put them on as we got into line.

 

[taterheads]

Everyone else has said heaphones and I agree. Something else that helped when my kiddos were little.. post it notes to put over the auto flush on the toilets. My kids had their greatest difficulty in the bathrooms at Disney World because all of the toilets constantly flushing was deafening to them. It is loud (even for a person who isn't sound sensative). When I could turn off the flush on the toilet in their cube it helped them to stay calmer because at least it wasn't loudly flushing with them in the stall.