Autism and audiology: listening beyond words
- pearldcosta
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate neurodiversity, raise awareness, and foster acceptance for individuals on the autism spectrum. As an audiologist, this month also reminds us of the important link between hearing, auditory processing, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—a connection that is often overlooked but deeply significant.
The Overlap Between Autism and Audiology
Children with autism often face unique sensory challenges. One area that frequently arises is how they process sound. While many children with ASD have normal hearing levels in a standard hearing test, they may struggle with:
Auditory hypersensitivity (sounds feel too loud or overwhelming)
Auditory hyposensitivity (difficulty noticing or responding to sounds)
Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments
Delayed or disordered speech development
These are not hearing problems in the traditional sense, but rather auditory processing issues—how the brain interprets the sounds the ears hear.
How Audiologists Can Help
As audiologists, our role is not just to check hearing thresholds but to understand how each person experiences sound. For children with autism, this can mean:
Specialized hearing tests tailored to their sensory needs and communication styles
Auditory processing evaluations, especially if they have trouble understanding spoken language
Collaborating with speech-language therapists, pediatricians, psychologists, and educators for a holistic approach
Recommending hearing protection or sound-modifying strategies in environments that may trigger sensory overload
Early Intervention Matters
One of the earliest signs of both autism and hearing loss can be delayed speech or limited response to sound. That’s why it’s so important for families to include audiological assessments as part of developmental check-ups. Ruling out or identifying a hearing issue can guide a more accurate diagnosis and timely support.
Listening With Compassion
Every person with autism is unique. Some are non-verbal, others are highly verbal but sensitive to certain frequencies or background noise. Our job isn’t just to test hearing—it’s to listen without judgment and support communication in whatever form it takes.
This Autism Awareness Month, let’s remind ourselves and our communities that listening goes beyond ears—it comes from understanding, patience, and connection.
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