Both MS and anxiety can cause an issue with noise. For me, the two are different. The MS portion of it has to do with not being able to process all that is going on around me. This not only happens with hearing and noise but with vision as well. Visually, if things are coming at me too fast and I can't process it all, I have to close my eyes. It's just too much for me.

If I am really, really stressed out or anxious about something, noise definitely bothers me but not in the same was as with MS. In this case, the noise interfers with my ability to focus, think, and deal with my stressors. It's a different feeling than with my MS. It is not uncommon at all for someone to not be able to deal with noise when they are anxious or stressed. In fact, I believe it is high on the list of anxiety symptoms.

The suggestion of whispering or using a low voice is a great one. Many temper tantrums in my house have been stopped when I have whispered or even just mouthed the words. When I was in college and was teaching preschoolers, it was a little more difficult to do this as they were all over the place. I would guess that it may be similar in a 1st grade class room. However, turning the lights off for a few seconds, ringing a bell, or clapping, would break the commotion that is going on. (There's a better word/terminology for commotion but I just can't think of it right now. ) Once that happens, the kids will quiet down and a whispering voice would certainly work.