Quiet Please
Noisy Environments Are Devastating to Kids and Parents
Hello Philosophical Parents. 🤔
I’m lucky that, in my full-time role, I mostly WFH (work-from-home). However, right now, my home is not the peaceful sanctuary I need in order to focus, meet virtually with colleagues, and get my work done.
In our cul-de-sac, there are many families with young children who are often outside squealing, bike riding, climbing trees, and running amok. I know, I know — this scenario paints a cute picture and I sound like a grumpy old man yelling: “Get off my lawn!” However, for HSPs, constant, unwanted noise is no joke and can be extremely stressful.
On top of boisterous children running and squealing outside our windows, we’ve got consistent construction and landscaping (including my ultimate nemesis — leaf-blowers) happening regularly in our neighbourhood.
Noisy Environments + Highly Sensitive People
As a Highly Sensitive Person who also happens to be an employee, neighbour, friend and parent, unwanted noise negatively impacts me (and other HSPs) every single day.
If you didn’t know: Certain sounds can be traumatic and devastating. And, it’s not just barking dogs and squealing tires that can raise ire — odd sounds such as buzzing lights, clicking pens, people sniffing, and water dripping can be just as irritating.
And, for HSP parents, trying to respond to their kids in a noisy environment can be overwhelming and upsetting. The same goes for HSP children — if your child seems to respond in an “exaggerated” way to certain, sudden sounds (like fireworks or a barking dog), your child may be Highly Sensitive. If you’re curious, you can take this “Is My Child Highly Sensitive?” test.
Reducing Noise Increases Peace - and Results
We’ve long known that uncontrollable noise has an unwanted affect on many parts of our lives. A 1975 study focused on students in a school that had a train regularly passing by showed that students on the “noisy” side of the building scored lower in reading tests: “They…lagged by 3-4 months (based on a 10-month school year) behind their quiet side counterparts.”
And, the following quote, from a 2020 article in the Wall Street Journal, illustrates that our typical modern-day acceptance of background noise negatively affects all our senses:
"Noise can have a pernicious effect not only on our hearing, but on all our senses. When there was background noise, subjects in the 2004 Psychophysiology study performed worse on visual-motor tasks, such as tracking a moving target on a computer screen with a mouse pointer. Road traffic noise has even been convincingly correlated with heart disease. Indeed, chronic noise exposure increases both the levels of stress people report and the measurable level of the stress hormone cortisol."
This same article addresses that noise is particularly damaging to the developing brain, with a few scientists coining the term “auditory trauma” — a term I can certainly identify with.
What To Do?
So, now that we know noise can be damaging - especially to Highly Sensitive People - what can we do? It’s not an easy answer though you’ll find some suggestions below. Interestingly - I published a similar post about the effects of noise on HSPs almost exactly one year ago today. There must be something about noise and the month of October…
Advocate for quiet — If your community allows regular high-decibel activities such as leaf blowing, lawn-mowing, and loud music, speak to your local representatives about the benefits of quiet and the adverse affects of noise on the human and animal population.
Talk to teachers — If your child’s school or classroom deals with regular unwanted noise, try speaking with the teacher or principal about implementing quiet periods and lowering the lights and closing the door to allow for quiet periods throughout the day.
Close the windows — If you’re like me and live in a noisy neighbourhood/community — here’s a tip that’s ironic but can be a life-saver: incorporate background noise such as “brown noise” or “white noise”. You can also of course close the windows or run a fan to cover up noise occuring outside. Note: I always feel sad having to close the windows on a beautiful day as nature and fresh air are so important to Highly Sensitive People.
Noise cancellation devices — Try wearing noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs. And, don’t forget to bring ear plugs with you on outings, at the movies or concerts, while shopping and travelling.
Rest — Go to sleep early and/or meditate and have your children engage in quiet activities like reading, quiet play, napping, or drawing — activities that do not include TV, phones, or electronics of any kind. Allowing the brain to regularly relax, reset, and rest is an important factor in overall happiness and success.
If you’re a Highly Sensitive Parent or have an HSP child, you will probably intuitively change your parenting style in order to save your and your child’s sanity. This may mean attending fewer events or enrolling your child in fewer (or no) after-school activities. Even if you’re not Highly Sensitive, know that unwanted noise is affecting you and your family.
Does the information in this post resonate? Do you have any success stories about dealing with unwanted noise? If so, please share with us.
Until next time, Philosophical Parent — stay real.
Lisa
Thanks for writing on this important topic. Silence is so important and increasingly difficult to find. Great tips!