Earplugs for 6 year old with ADHD

[MyWanderfulBoy]

Hoping for some advice for a 6 year old boy with ADHD who has had sensitivity to sound since he was about 2 years old. It hasn't been dire and definitely something he could cope with on his own until he started elementary school this year. He's in first grade and struggling in PE.. he's starting to get a bit anxious over going because of how loud the gymnasium is with kids screaming in fun/play and the teachers blowing whistles. The PE teachers are very kind to him and have let him wait in the bathroom if something is just way to loud for him, but this is not ideal and mostly alienating for him as he wants to have fun with his classmates and participate in the activities.

I'm looking for recommendations for kid-size earplugs that aren't easy to lose (connected by a short string-type thing maybe) and might have a case? If anyone has been in a similar boat or knows someone who has, please let me know the names of some brands to check out that were helpful.. I'd really appreciate it. Also, we're on a waiting list for OT services to have his ears checked and see if they can offer additional support for him with that and other things.

Thank you so much

[Aspen797]

Alpine pluggies (ear plugs) or Alpine ear muffs are good. Valved ear plugs (often marketed for musicians) decrease decibels but do not muffle sound like foam does. Vibes ear plugs are good for teens/adults. All are on Amazon. Great that you’re going to see OT for ideas

[MyWanderfulBoy in reply to Aspen797]

thanks so much for the recommendation! I’ll have a look.

[HCStymie in reply to Aspen797]

May not be an option for gym class. I have a pair I use for concerts. With the "valve" part, it's a metal tube that goes down the middle of the ear plug. To risky to fall on or get hit in the head with a ball in gym class. I would recommend sticking to foam for gym class. But may be a good option for other environments.

[123adhd]

have you tried ear defenders? My little boy uses them at school from time to time! They don’t totally eliminate sound but they defo help. I got ours from Amazon, they do all different designs to encourage them to ear them!

[MyWanderfulBoy in reply to 123adhd]

no I haven’t, but will definitely check them out. Thank you for the recommendation.

[kdali]

We have Flare Calmer Kids, but I can't get her to use them yet. They do come with a loop or not, and a carrying case. So far she's only agreeable to headphones and can't wear them during PE. She had no hearing issues, but we continue to check this every year with OT.

[MyWanderfulBoy in reply to kdali]

thank you for the recommendation. I’ll definitely be checking these out.

[EJ_C]

Decibulz are pretty comfy and do cool colors.

[MyWanderfulBoy in reply to EJ_C]

thank you! I’ll check them out

[penn_adhd]

I would ask a pediatric audiologist. They can even make custom molded ones though I don't know if they'd have a string. Have you looked into diagnoses in addition to ADHD such as anxiety, autism or even misophonia or hyperacusis?

[MyWanderfulBoy]

when he was diagnosed with ADHD he was evaluated for HFA as well but it was ruled out. He LOVES being loud and I mean like off the charts loud but that doesn’t bother him.. lol. He can stand a lot of loud noises but not when they’re sudden/unexpected. It’s getting better as he’s getting older too. Thank you for your advice.