Loud noises

Is it normal for a toddler to cover her ears when loud noises occur?



Comments for Loud noises

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Apr 08, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		It depends
by: Anonymous

It is perfectly normal to cover your ears at loud noises since it is a human instinct. For example, a police siren or fireworks.

It is less normal to cover your ears at seemingly quiet noises like a microwave, toilet, or people clapping.

If they are very young and the noise is very very loyd then it is fine.

If the noise is average but results in a meltdown, crying, screaming or running away it may be SPD. If you are taking the child to a loud place, tell him/her before it happens "it will be a bit loud" or let them wear ear defenders.
Jun 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Senstive to loud noises
by: Anonymous

My son with SPD (mild) did covered his ear when he was young ....we were not able to take him to a parade or give him a birthday party ... When he turned 6, he agreed to wear earplugs at the parade, it took some time to adjust to it and he learned to tolerated the birthday parties as he got older . (we used to leave the room when they sing "happy b'day" ) He is also sensitive to brightness when young but overcame that.
Aug 31, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		I don't think so.
by: Sarah M.

I don't think it's normal for a toddler to cover her ears at loud noises. I don't recall my oldest covering her ears at loud noises. My youngest, on the other hand, does cover his ears at loud noises. He tells me that his "ears hurt." I know for sure that he doesn't have an ear infection, because his ears have been checked out. He didn't always do this. It's only been in the past year that he's covered his ears. Neither of my kids have a dx of SPD, but they have a bunch of the symptoms of SPD. My son was diagnosed with autism, however.

Have you talked to the pediatrician about it? Just to make sure that there isn't some underlying cause for the ear covering.
Aug 31, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hearing
by: Anonymous

I think it is normal for toddlers to cover their ears for loud noises. My oldest when he was younger could not handle the toilet flushing at a public restroom and other noises like that. When he had his hearing testing before going to kindergarten they said he had very good hearing. It could be SPD if their were other circumstances going on with it but could be just a normal behavior as well.

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