Expert: Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell - 1/18/2007

Question
I and a speech therapist working in a special education school. I am concerned that teachers are inappropriately using headphones to block out noisy environments and to calm the students.  Some students wear the headphones all day, every day, regardless of the environment (quiet and noisy); some headphones are similiar to headphones worn by airport workers to protect against hearing loss.  I and also concerned about the development of speech when using headphones in such a manner. Do you have any information/research that I can pass on to the teachers to help with this problem?   Thanks  

Answer
Headphones or ear plugs are often used to help reduce background distractions and to keep students calmer. It's a technique that works, but too much of anything can be a bad thing.

I can understand your concern from a speech/language point of view. We learn language by hearing and using language. Continuous use of headphones could hinder the natural development of language skills that occurs just through listening.

Some kids with autism would take all too readily to headphone use. They might willingly use the headphones to help them tune out from the world. Other ASD kids with tactile sensitivities may find the headphones an annoyance as they rub on their skin. Some people find that their ears become sore with constant ear protection. If a child is nonverbal, they may not be able to communicate to you their discomfort.

While we're all creatures of habit, none more so than someone with autism. If you students become used to doing things just one way or operating only with background noise blocked out, it may be hard to break them of this habit or get them to adapt to other, noisier situations.

As with all strategies, we need to keep in mind the end goal. Is the strategy being used for the comfort of the student or for the adults around the student?

Part of our goals for kids are to help prepare them for the real world. The real world is a noisy place. While we don't want to constantly bombard a kid with more than he's able to take, eliminating all background noise seems to be going to the opposite extreme. There are few silent classrooms or shopping malls or streets or homes. If a child can only remain calm or functional when wearing headphones, have we done him a service? Helping him learn to adapt to background noise without being overwhelmed may be a key tool to helping him cope with life.

I'm afraid I have not come across any research that mentions the drawbacks of constant headphone use.

If sensory sensitivities are the reason for headphone use, an Occupational Therapist may be able to help develop other strategies for calming and concentration.

Sharon A. Mitchell