My son (severe TBI) is very noise sensitive. A few days ago in traffic, on the other side of the highway, a long convoy of police cars was approaching. When Brett saw alll those lights he was like "OMG! IT'S SO LOUD!!" He was anticipating. Turned out they actually just were escorting a big biker gang and just had all the lights flashing, no sirens. Thank goodness!! It would have been horrible for him. He does get that "flight or fight" look in his eye.

Funny tho, his playing "Guitar Hero" doesn't bother him! It must be just the loud, sharp or shrill unexpected noises like sirens that really get him. I've read that gunshots and sonic booms are especially unnerving for TBI survivors. I can imagine it is all more due to do with plain ol' "nerves are shot" than anything... when I'm really stressed out (most of the time these days) these kinds of little "shocks" can really just shred the nerves already working so hard to cope with life in general, hmm... and that much harder for TBI's to recover from that.

Earplugs -- Mark's advice sounds great, just do make sure to keep them clean so you don't get an ear infection. I think I would even soak them in a peroxide sterile water solution for a little while after cleaning.