A quick note before we start
Most people don’t mean to upset anyone. But one behaviour has become common: playing music, videos, calls on loudspeaker, or scrolling social media with sound on in shared spaces like trains, cafés, shops, waiting rooms, and even flights.
For many people it’s “a bit annoying”.
For others, including many autistic people, it can be overwhelming, distressing, and sometimes disabling.
This page is here to explain why, and what you can do that’s simple, cheap, and respectful.
What is “aural pollution” in everyday life?
“Aural pollution” is the build-up of unwanted sound around us.
It might include:
- a phone playing music or TikTok without headphones
- videos or movies played aloud on public transport
- speakerphone calls in cafés and restaurants
- Bluetooth speakers at beaches or parks near other people
- loud store announcements plus background music plus general noise (trolleys, crowds, children), plus someone adding their own device audio
On its own, any one sound might seem small. The issue is the stacking. It keeps happening, everywhere.
Why this matters for autistic people
Autism is not just about social communication. For many autistic people, it involves differences in sensory processing.
That can include sound sensitivity, where certain noises feel:
- physically uncomfortable
- hard to ignore (even when trying)
- unpredictable and therefore stressful
- impossible to filter out when already tired or anxious
A sound that blends into the background for one person can be front-and-centre for someone else.
What can it cause?
For an autistic person, unmanaged noise in shared spaces can lead to:
- rising anxiety and stress
- sensory overload (feeling flooded, panicky, or shut down)
- difficulty thinking, speaking, or making decisions
- exhaustion and irritability later (the “hangover” effect)
- needing to leave early, avoid public spaces, or miss out entirely
And it’s not just autistic people. This can also affect:
- people with ADHD
- people with PTSD or anxiety
- people with hearing conditions (tinnitus, hyperacusis)
- people with migraine, concussion, or sensory processing differences
- older people and young children
In short: shared sound can exclude people.
“But it’s only a little sound”
This is the part most people don’t realise.
The problem is rarely volume alone. It’s often:
- unpredictability (sudden bursts of noise)
- repetition (same clip or beat again and again)
- competing layers (announcements + music + crowds + your phone)
- lack of control (you can’t “turn it down” or escape)
For someone already managing sensory input, your phone audio can be the final straw.
The shared spaces principle
Shared spaces work best when we assume one simple rule:
If other people can hear your device, it’s not private.
Just like we don’t smoke in restaurants anymore, we can treat device audio the same way: it belongs in your headphones.
What you can do instead (easy options)
Here are a few simple changes that make a big difference:
1) Use headphones or earbuds
They don’t need to be expensive. A basic pair works.
- Budget wired earbuds: try these cheap options
- Budget wireless earbuds: try these wireless options
- Over-ear headphones (more comfortable for long trips): try these
If you’ve forgotten them:
- turn the sound off and use captions
- wait until you’re somewhere private
2) Don’t use speakerphone in public
If you need to take a call:
- hold the phone to your ear (normal call mode)
- step outside if possible
- keep it short and quiet
3) In shops or cafés, assume people are not coping
Many people in public are doing their best: managing kids, pain, disability, fatigue, anxiety, or sensory overload. Small acts of consideration help more than you realise.
Also, no one really cares that your husband needs to pick up the kids or your bank is calling you to arrange a home loan or an airline needs to change your flight. And secondly, it’s just plain annoying!
If someone asks you to turn it down
If someone says, “Would you mind turning that off?”, it’s easy to feel defensive.
But usually it isn’t personal. It’s likely about:
- distress, disability, sensory overload, or simply needing quiet
A good response is:
- “Oh sorry, no worries.” (and turning it off)
That’s it. That one moment can change someone’s whole day.
A note for people who experience sensory distress
If this topic is personal for you, you’re not alone.
Some practical strategies that can help:
- noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs (Loop-style options): [LINK PLACEHOLDER 4]
- planning quieter shopping times
- carrying a simple card to explain your needs (see below)
- giving yourself permission to leave early
And importantly: it’s reasonable to ask for considerate behaviour. You’re not “being difficult”.
Why I’m sharing this
My wife is autistic. I see the distress and anxiety that unmanaged noise can cause her, sometimes daily. The world is already loud and busy. When people add device audio on top of everything else, it can tip a manageable situation into a harmful one.
This page is about changing habits one person at a time, with respect.
If you found this helpful, please share it. Quiet helps everyone.