Some autistic people are reported to have hearing problems of various kinds but very few autistic people are hard of hearing or deaf.
For example, some people with autism
- have selective hearing i.e. they do not appear to notice certain sounds, including some very loud noises, but they do notice and react to other sounds.
- have hypercusis i.e. they find specific sounds distressing, disturbing or even painful.
- find some sounds fascinating e.g. bell.
- seem to be unaware of the noises they make themselves
These problems tend to become less marked with increasing age and may eventually disappear.
Deafness or loss of hearing can be a co-morbidity in some individuals.
Some autistic people are reported to have hearing problems of various kinds but very few autistic people are hard of hearing or deaf.
For example, some people with autism
- have selective hearing i.e. they do not appear to notice certain sounds, including some very loud noises, but they do notice and react to other sounds.
- have hypercusis i.e. they find specific sounds distressing, disturbing or even painful.
- find some sounds fascinating e.g. bell.
- seem to be unaware of the noises they make themselves
These problems tend to become less marked with increasing age and may eventually disappear.
Deafness or loss of hearing can be a co-morbidity in some individuals.
This page provides details of some of the most significant scientific studies and reviews on hearing and autism which have been published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals. If you know of any other studies we should include please email info@researchautism.net with the details. Thank you.
If you are a UK resident you may be able to obtain full copies of some of the items listed here from your local public library, your college library, or the National Autistic Society's Information. Centre. You may also be able to obtain copies from the publisher of the items.
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There are some studies published in peer-reviewed journals which appear to show that some interventions, including some of those listed below, may be effective in improving hearing in some individuals with autism.
There are some anecdotal reports that other interventions, including some of those listed below, may be effective for some individuals.
Please click on the names of the interventions below to find out more about those interventions.
The fact that an intervention is listed below does not necessarily mean that we agree that it is effective for people with autism.
“Do you hear noise in your head? It pounds and screeches. Like a train rumbling through your ears.” (Powell, J.)
“One of my sensory problems was hearing sensitivity, where certain loud noises, such as a school bell, hurt my ears. It sounded like a dentist drill going through my ears.” (Temple Grandin)
Luke Jackson said that sometimes he did not hear people calling his name because he was not aware he was supposed to be listening.
This page provides details of other publications on social communication and autism. If you know of any other publications we should include please email info@researchautism.net with the details. Thank you.
If you know of any other publications we should list on this page please email info@informationautism.org
Please note that we are unable to supply publications unless we are listed as the publisher. However, if you are a UK resident you may be able to obtain them from your local public library, your college library or direct from the publisher.