Field-Testing an Intelligent Sound-Sensitivity Device

Challenge

Many children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are hypersensitive to certain sounds. When exposed to these sounds, they may feel very distressed, which can cause them to react with behaviours such as covering their ears, yelling, screaming or running out of the room to avoid the sound. Schools’ approaches for accommodating sound sensitivity include letting students wear earplugs or earmuffs or allowing them to take breaks in a quiet area. Because such strategies block or avoid all sounds indiscriminately, they tend to interfere with the child’s full participation in class and other activities.

Project Summary

With support from Kids Brain Health Network, researchers have developed programmable earphones that selectively filter out whatever specific noises the user doesn’t want to hear. For example, they may block dogs barking, sirens and jackhammers, but not the teacher’s voice.

The research team will now test the prototype in real-life settings, namely virtual and in-person classrooms. They will compare two different versions of the technology and measure how much it improves children’s comfort levels. They will also continue planning for its widescale commercialization.

Looking Towards the Future

Feedback from families, teachers and experts will be key to refining the prototype and finalizing a commercially viable product. Ultimately, the device will help kids feel better in their daily lives. Noises will pose less of a barrier to their participation in school and recreation, which should boost their educational and social outcomes. Beyond autism, the device may also prove beneficial for children and adults with other conditions that can involve sound sensitivity, such as fetal alcohol syndrome disorder and Williams syndrome.

Funding

Kids Brain Health Network – $399,050.00

Team

Principal Investigators

Dr. Elina Birmingham, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Siamak Arzanpour, Simon Fraser University

Co-Investigators

Dr. Grace Iarocci, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Bernhard Riecke, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Anthony Herdman, University of British Columbia
Dr. Oliver Schulte, Simon Fraser University

Partners

Surrey School District

Previous Initiatives

Implementation Readiness Fund – Intelligent Solutions for Sound Sensitivity in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Cycle II – Intelligent Solutions for Atypical Auditory Processing in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders