I am sure there are at least 9.293239E+203 different topics on distraction from noise, but I'd like to see if I can find a relationship. In my research, most sources say that auditory sequential thinkers are highly distracted by noise and visual spatial thinkers are highly distracted by visual stimuli (movement, shadows, etc.) I find that I am a visual-spatial thinker, but extremely distracted by noise (hypersensitive), as well as movement. It seems that many ADDers, if not most, are like this.

I would like to see if there is a pattern between thinking styles, distraction, and auditory processing.

(*Edit: Hopefully everyone can sequentially process each of the poll choices*)

How interesting! Thanks for doing this. I am a visual-spatial learner. I also am very distracted to noise with a hypersensitivity and very likely an auditory processing problem.

One thing that I wanted to comment on from you post. You said that you read that visual-spatial thinkers tend to be distracted by visual stimuli. For me I may very likely be distracted by visual stimuli too but for the visual stimuli is comforting/soothing/ interesting/ positive. I live in a rural area that has beautiful rolling hills so I often am so busy taking in all the scenery I am lucky I stay on the road! I love to look at the trees, shadows, light, morning mist. I find myself noticing patterns in tree branches or the how the angle of sunlight on a barn creates an interesting pattern of shadows as they intersect with the roof line. I turned my head as i drove just to catch a glimpse of some complimentary colored flowers growing on the side of the road. I could go on and on. As nice as this all is for me the auditory distractions are the complete oppostie. It very often causes me to get hyper and my brain shuts down- definitely negative reactions.

To be a distractions is does the stimuli bring about a negative response or can it be considered distracting even if brings about positive responses?

If I am trying to concentrate at work, and there are people in the nearby vicinity, who are laughing and talking loudly, it makes me rabid, after a while. I can not concentrate while they are doing so. I've actually found myself glaring at others, when they're behaving like this. Of course it has no effect on me, when I'm not pressured to finish a work 'project'. It doesn't seem to be 'visual', with me, because the person can stand directly in front of my desk, and I can ignore them (to a degree), but once they start shuffling papers, or making other 'noise', I have to stop what I'm doing (which I am required to, anyways, LOL, but sometimes I have to just finish what I am working on, or I'm afraid I'll get sidetracked and not do so, later) and pay attention to them.
The worst thing, is when I have about eight people, in front of me (and I don't work in a store, or deal with a public setting, either) at once, all clammoring about 'what they need to do'. I feel like my brain is exploding, at times.
And yes, I will one day, take it upon myself, to forever hide the leafblower/lawnmower/chainsaw etc., from the lawn maintenance people, at my apartment complex, because I'm beginning to think there is a conspiracy going on. One pertaining to waiting until I take a day off, to work on my cases, or school matters, and stand right by MY WINDOW, and do lawn maintenance... I swear !!!
And don't even get me going on kids and bouncing basketballs....and I'm not even 'old and crotchety', for pete's sakes!!!
So I am definitely triggered by sound.
But then again, if it is music I love, like jazz, fusion, delta/other blues, I am a fan of 'turning it waaaaaaaaaaay up' at times!
Nova

One thing that I wanted to comment on from you post. You said that you read that visual-spatial thinkers tend to be distracted by visual stimuli. For me I may very likely be distracted by visual stimuli too but for the visual stimuli is comforting/soothing/ interesting/ positive. I live in a rural area that has beautiful rolling hills so I often am so busy taking in all the scenery I am lucky I stay on the road! I love to look at the trees, shadows, light, morning mist. I find myself noticing patterns in tree branches or the how the angle of sunlight on a barn creates an interesting pattern of shadows as they intersect with the roof line. I turned my head as i drove just to catch a glimpse of some complimentary colored flowers growing on the side of the road. I could go on and on. As nice as this all is for me the auditory distractions are the complete oppostie. It very often causes me to get hyper and my brain shuts down- definitely negative reactions.


I actually tend to daydream while driving! The visual stimuli of driving down a low traffic road is the auditory stimuli equivalent of a quiet, but ambient, fan. That kind of stimuli makes me space out. It is the unexpected stimuli that really bothers me (chatting, phones ringing, kids crying, etc.) I believe I am inattentive, but I get restless in high noise situations as well.

I guess by the definition of distraction, distractions can very well be positive in a way. I can drive while daydreaming and still be able to react to most events. The visual stimuli of the road can make my brain do a "context-shift" back to the "external-world"!

In most people, I believe, stimuli isn't as potent as it is to us, and therefore, such stimuli is processed without totally shifting one's attention. Because of this, the stimuli is mixed in with the persons thought (instead of completely taking it over). That is why ASQ people are supposed to be more distracted by sound because they cannot "hear themselves think". The same goes with VS people for visual stimuli while thinking visually.