Sound Sensitivity: Why Do Kids with Normal Hearing Struggle?

Pediatric Pioneers: Sound Sensitivity: Why Do Kids with Normal Hearing Struggle? (Episode 22)

Audio Runtime: ___ Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: ___Minutes

In this episode, neuro-audiology expert Dr. Sarah Wakefield, AuD, joins host Nicole Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L, to uncover why children with normal peripheral hearing often face hidden battles with auditory processing and decreased sound tolerance conditions. Together, they explore how the brain interprets sound, shifting the narrative away from “bad behavior” to reveal how conditions like misophonia and hyperacusis deeply impact a child’s daily function. You will learn how to spot clinical signs like listening fatigue, discover why standard habits like overusing headphones might backfire, and gain actionable, interdisciplinary strategies to maximize your patients’ functional participation. Tune in to discover how you can collaborate across disciplines to transform your pediatric practice and confidently support your neurodiverse clients.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze the evidence around clinical auditory processing and decreased sound tolerance conditions in pediatric conditions
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the multi-disciplinary assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of auditory processing and decreased sound tolerance conditions
• Solve patient case scenarios involving pediatric decreased sound tolerance and auditory processing conditions—such as misophonia and hyperacusis—to minimize the impact on daily activities and maximize functional participation

This is an audio-only course. Additional materials are available for download within the course. To receive continuing education credit, complete the course and the accompanying quiz.