Functional Listening Experiences of Autistic College Students: A Qualitative Study of Real-World Listening Demands

Autistic individuals frequently report auditory processing differences, including difficulty perceiving speech in noise and heightened sound sensitivity. Although increased listening effort has been documented in autistic children, little is known about how autistic college students experience listening demands in higher education....

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Audiologists assessing autistic young adults should consider functional listening questionnaires and real-world noise testing beyond the standard audiogram, as conventional measures may underestimate their listening difficulties.

Autistic individuals are a largely underserved population in audiology, and documenting their real-world listening demands can drive more appropriate assessment protocols and rehabilitation strategies.

1. 01Qualitative design captured lived listening experiences of autistic college students in real-world settings.
2. 02Speech-in-noise perception and hypersensitivity to sound were prominent themes.
3. 03Standard audiological assessments may not reflect the functional challenges autistic students face.
4. 04Findings suggest a need for individualized, ecologically valid assessment approaches.
5. 05Results may inform accommodations and support services in higher-education settings.

PMID

42862763

DOI

10.1044/2026_AJA-26-00107.

Journal

American Journal of Audiology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Autistic college students

Intervention

Qualitative exploration of real-world functional listening experiences