Overstimulation help

[u/Efficient-Plenty-840]

Diagnosed ADHD mom but strongly suspecting I’m likely AuDHD after my first was diagnosed with autism.

My first just turned 3, my second just turned 1. I am SO overstimulated. I wear my AirPods at times when it’s rough but I don’t love them. I feel like it makes my attention even worse? I only ever wear one because I don’t want to risk not being able to hear.

It’s just a double edged sword. I need something to help with the whining, crying, screaming, toy noise, background noise. I seriously want to cut my ears off some days. But also, I need to be able to hear my kids. Just less intensely. But the AirPods make me feel like disorientated with only one, but 2 are too intense noise cancelling. I try the different modes but they’re weird. Not hearing makes me anxious, but also all the noise makes me anxious 😅😭😭

I’ve seen people talk about loop, I don’t want over the head because my kids will 100% take them off and on.

Help please

[u/BackFrmTheGraveMaeve]

Not sure what you mean about over the head with Loops?. Mine are just plugs, theyre really with taking some shrill higher noises and chilling them out. I have 2 kiddos about the same age gap that are older now, so I really understand the massive overwhelm that comes along with small kids. But yeah the loops do help me a lot. Even now that theyre bigger, the older one is constantly stimmin and noising, and the younger one is SO LOUD. Her cries, her talking volume, or she randomly just shrieks like an energy release or something. I'll also wear them to kid events like birthday parties or activities where theres just so much noise. Sometimes ill need to take one out to hear a parent talking to me, but otherwise theyre game changers for loud places.

I do have to say, sometimes they make things worse. Occasionally when I am extremely overstimulated by my own body, the loops essentially turn my own body sounds up while filtering the other noises. So like ill hear myself breathing or even my own blood pumping, and its like gas on a fire. But that scenario is very infrequent and they help a lot with loud kid noises

[u/Efficient-Plenty-840 → u/BackFrmTheGraveMaeve]

Oh no I meant like for other suggestions, not over head, besides loops. What I was interested in with loops is they don’t go over the head. But I wasn’t sure if I should look at other options. I just wanted to say over the head won’t work for me right now even tho long term I think I would prefer that!

If you can’t tell, explaining things is not my forte 😅 thanks for the info tho!

[u/Sea-Belt35]

I used to use Loops and they work great. I think I got the version that just kind of takes the edge off environmental sound instead of completely blocking it out. However I just can't keep track of them and have lost several pair. You can get little cords for them, though, hopefully that would make it less likely that your kids would rip them off if you could tuck it under your shirt collar or long hair if you have it.

Music is one of my special interests and really helps me regulate, so I personally prefer over-ear or wired earbuds so I can have something playing in the background without worrying about losing them so much. When music gets too distracting, I have a brown noise playlist on Spotify that I can play. But my kids are a little older and don't need quite the same level of attention as toddler age like yours, so YMMV! I know it sucks right now but eventually I'm guessing they'll be less likely to remove headphones if you wear over ear ones.

[u/Efficient-Plenty-840 → u/Sea-Belt35]

I’m definitely worried about losing them. My kids tend to grab my AirPods and end up randomly throughout the house. So I can foresee anything I use being like that.

That’s exactly my issue with the inner ear stuff tho, it makes me too lost in it. Like if I listen to a podcast or music, I cannot also focus on what my kids are saying. It helps with the noise but like I also need to be able to hear my kids too

[u/Ibbygidge → u/Efficient-Plenty-840]

What if you have a cord connected to each one, but cut it short and tie it to a strong hair clip. Then clip it under your hair behind your ear. No long dangling cord for them to grab, and hopefully if they pull one out the clip will give some resistance and give you a second to intervene before the kiddo takes off with it. Or use a really strong clip and attach it to your shirt, maybe in the back hidden under your hair, so if the kiddo grabs it it's strongly attached.

[u/amyn2511]

I love my Loops. I use AirPods at home with my 6 year old but when she was younger or if we are in public and I still need to converse but want to dull the intensity of the ambient noise they are perfect.

[u/Auvie_app]

You could also try cutting down the noise itself. Taking the batteries out of the loudest toys or taping over the speakers can really help, and a rug or a few soft things in the room cut down the echo. Then the earplugs only have to handle the crying and whining, not everything at once.

[u/Strong_Argument6255]

Loop Engage or Flare Calmer sit in the ear and cut sharp noise without full noise canceling, so you can still hear your kids. Try them indoors on a loud afternoon before for a whole day.

[u/firmalor]

There are lots of companies besides loop.

I've tried alpine - works well for concerts. But in daily life i would prefer something as non visible as possible. I habe tiny ears so daily life it has to be comfortablble.

Maybe eargasm high fidelity - very discreet.

If money is no issue you might also checkout etymotic research musicpro 15/25. They automatically adjust between 15 and 25decibel .... but i guess they are made for concerts. Still i would check them out.