Self-assessment
the noise sensitivity self-check
Could this be you, or someone you care for? This short, private check can help you make sense of how everyday noise affects you, or a child you support. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Answer honestly based on a typical few weeks, not the hardest or easiest day. You will get an immediate, supportive result, with a few gentle next steps.
1. Everyday sounds that others ignore, a dripping tap, a humming fridge, distant chatter, pull at my attention.
2. Busy or loud places, supermarkets, stations, open-plan rooms, leave me drained or on edge.
3. Sudden or sharp noises make me flinch, tense up, or feel a jolt of distress.
4. I plan around noise: quieter times, particular seats, certain routes, or leaving early.
5. I use, or wish I had, headphones, earplugs or ear defenders to get through the day.
6. Certain specific sounds, chewing, tapping, a particular pitch, trigger a strong reaction in me.
7. After a noisy day I need real quiet to recover, more than the people around me seem to.
8. Noise makes it hard to concentrate, think clearly, or follow a conversation.
9. I avoid places, events or plans because of how loud they are likely to be.
10. Noise affects my mood, my sleep or my stress more than I would like.
11. I have been told I am "too sensitive" to noise, or felt I had to hide how much it affects me.
1. My child covers their ears, or asks for sound to stop, more than other children their age.
2. Busy or loud places, parties, assemblies, supermarkets, lead to distress, meltdowns or shutting down.
3. Sudden sounds, hand dryers, alarms, balloons, a barking dog, frighten or upset them a great deal.
4. They avoid certain rooms, activities or events because of the noise.
5. They use, or would like, ear defenders or headphones to cope.
6. Specific sounds, chewing, humming, a particular voice or pitch, clearly bother them.
7. After a noisy day or setting, they are exhausted, tearful or hard to settle.
8. Noise makes it hard for them to focus, learn or join in.
9. What can look like "difficult behaviour" often happens in loud or busy environments.
10. They seem to notice or react to sounds before others around them do.
11. A teacher or another adult has mentioned that they struggle with noise.
The result
This is a reflection, not a diagnosis. You can come back and answer again whenever you like, and as life changes your result may change too. If noise is affecting daily life, support is out there, and you are welcome here.
A note for parents and carers
how noise sensitivity can look in children
Children can be noise-sensitive too, and they often show it differently from adults: covering ears, meltdowns in busy places, refusing certain rooms, or seeming to "overreact" to ordinary sounds. What looks like difficult behaviour can be a genuine response to a world that is too loud for them.
hushri does not assess children, and this tool should never be used to label a child. If you are worried, the most helpful steps are to notice the patterns, lower the noise where you can, and speak with your GP, health visitor or your child's school. Our guide to what noise sensitivity is includes a section on what can look different in children.
Wherever you landed
you are welcome here
No score is needed to belong at hushri. If any of this felt familiar, the free starter guide is a gentle place to begin.