Coming from the dark ages of autism, I am not always aware of modern techniques or developments that are utilized or understood in coping with challenging situations or are just acceptable with being autistic. One of those things is the use of headphones in situations where the noise pollution can be too much to withstand.

From a young age before receiving my autism diagnosis over two and a half decades ago, it has been commonly known to others that I experience sound sensitivity. Professionals used the term hyper hearing, and the technical term is Hyperacusis, my sense of hearing is much higher than others that may not be sensitive to sound, therefore I have found it necessary to wear headphones.

This is a coping mechanism that I have picked up early after my diagnosis to keep myself focused on myself. As the years progressed and I entered adulthood, it became more apparent that wearing headphones with music became a necessity to not only regulate myself, but also aid in reducing my sensitivity to sound.

As music listening capabilities evolved through the decades I started carrying a portable CD player, then a MP3 player and eventually my cell phone and finally with the evolution of Bluetooth and streaming services, it has become even easier to become regulated. Recently, I discovered that my sister added me to her family Spotify plan as the extra slot was available, thus not requiring me to have to keep my subscription with Amazon.

There has always been judgment about having to wear headphones in the company of others to manage myself in challenging situations in environments such where noise pollution can become overwhelming. While I am extremely grateful to have the necessary accommodation at work, there are environments where it can seem rude and selfish, and I must agree that I must do better at finding a better way to communicate with others my need to put on my headphones in challenging situations.

Last week, I discovered that I am not the only autistic one that needs to do this to navigate the world that is not built for us. It does bring some sort of relief, but there are still the many questions that I have in learning how to not only best wear headphones to regulate, but also how to address my need to wear them in social situations by being assertive and not aggressive, something that I have had challenges doing in the past.

In the end, discovering that it is perfectly acceptable to wear headphones to properly regulate myself in situations where sensitivity to sound can be a challenge for me. As I am continuing to discover myself, I am more at peace that there is more acceptance in the general autistic community, now I must do my part to work at making it work for me.