Understanding Sensory Ratings: A Complete Guide

KindHours uses a comprehensive sensory rating system to help you make informed decisions about where to go. This guide explains how our ratings work and how to use them effectively.

The Three Core Sensory Categories

1. Lighting (1-5 Scale)

What we measure:

• Overall brightness levels
• Type of lighting (natural, fluorescent, LED, ambient)
• Presence of flickering or harsh lights
• Consistency and predictability

Rating Scale:

• 1 - Very dim, minimal lighting (e.g., candlelit restaurant)
• 2 - Soft, natural lighting (e.g., library, cafe with lots of windows)
• 3 - Moderate lighting, well-balanced (e.g., standard retail store)
• 4 - Bright lighting (e.g., supermarket)
• 5 - Very bright, potentially harsh (e.g., warehouse store)

Who benefits from lower ratings:

• People with light sensitivity
• Migraine sufferers
• Those on the autism spectrum
• Anyone seeking a calmer environment

2. Noise Level (1-5 Scale)

What we measure:

• Volume of background noise
• Type of sounds (music, conversations, machinery)
• Acoustic quality
• Predictability of noise patterns

Rating Scale:

• 1 - Very quiet, whisper-level (e.g., library, meditation space)
• 2 - Low noise, soft conversations (e.g., quiet cafe)
• 3 - Moderate noise, noticeable but manageable (e.g., restaurant)
• 4 - Loud, requires raised voice (e.g., busy pub)
• 5 - Very loud, overwhelming (e.g., nightclub, concert venue)

Who benefits from lower ratings:

• People with auditory sensitivities
• Those with ADHD
• Anyone seeking peaceful environments
• People who need to concentrate

3. Crowd Density (1-5 Scale)

What we measure:

• Number of people present
• Space per person
• Movement and predictability
• Personal space available

Rating Scale:

• 1 - Nearly empty, abundant space
• 2 - Few people, comfortable spacing
• 3 - Moderate occupancy, some movement
• 4 - Busy, limited personal space
• 5 - Very crowded, constant movement

Who benefits from lower ratings:

• People with social anxiety
• Those who need personal space
• Anyone uncomfortable with crowds
• People seeking calm environments

How Ratings Are Determined

Community-Driven Data

• Real users provide ratings based on their experiences
• Ratings update in real-time as conditions change
• Multiple data points ensure accuracy

Time-Based Variations

• Ratings can vary by:
  • Time of day (morning vs. evening)
  • Day of week (weekday vs. weekend)
  • Season (holidays, events)

Baseline vs. Real-Time Ratings

• Baseline ratings - Average conditions for a venue
• Real-time ratings - Current conditions reported by users

Using Ratings Effectively

Finding Your Ideal Venue

Step 1: Identify Your Sensory Preferences

• Which sensory inputs are most challenging?
• What environments feel comfortable?
• What can you tolerate vs. what's ideal?

Step 2: Set Your Filters Use the KindHours search filters:

• Set maximum acceptable levels for each category
• Prioritize your most important needs
• Be flexible with less critical factors

Step 3: Read the Details

• Check the average ratings
• Look at time-based variations
• Read user reviews for context

Example Use Cases

Case 1: Looking for a quiet workspace Set filters:

• Lighting: 1-3 (soft to moderate)
• Noise: 1-2 (very quiet to quiet)
• Crowd: 1-2 (empty to few people)

Case 2: Family-friendly cafe Set filters:

• Lighting: 2-3 (comfortable for all)
• Noise: 2-3 (some activity okay)
• Crowd: 2-3 (some people, not overwhelming)

Case 3: Evening quiet dining Set filters:

• Lighting: 1-2 (soft, ambient)
• Noise: 1-2 (quiet conversations)
• Crowd: 1-3 (not too busy)

Understanding Rating Variability

Why Ratings Change

• Time of day - Lunch rush vs. quiet afternoon
• Events - Special occasions, holidays
• Weather - Outdoor spaces affected by conditions
• Staffing - Music volume, lighting adjustments

How to Handle Variability

1. Check real-time updates before you go
2. Read recent reviews for current insights
3. Have backup options ready
4. Visit during recommended times

Contributing Your Own Ratings

How to Rate a Venue

During Your Visit:

1. Open KindHours app
2. Check in to the venue
3. Rate each sensory category
4. Add optional notes about your experience

What Makes a Good Rating:

• Accurate - Reflect actual conditions
• Specific - Note time of day and context
• Helpful - Include details that help others
• Current - Rate what you're experiencing now

Why Your Ratings Matter

• Help others make informed decisions
• Improve venue information accuracy
• Build a supportive community
• Encourage venue improvements

Advanced Features

Sensory Pass Integration

• Save your sensory preferences
• Get personalized recommendations
• Share your needs with venues

Journey Planning

• Plan routes with consistent sensory levels
• Find quiet rest stops along the way
• Avoid high-stimulation areas

Tips for Success

1. Trust your experience - Ratings are guides, not rules
2. Consider context - Your tolerance may vary day to day
3. Communicate needs - Tell venues what works for you
4. Be flexible - Sometimes "good enough" is perfect
5. Share feedback - Help improve the community database

Common Questions

Q: What if ratings seem inconsistent? Check the timestamp and context. Venues change throughout the day.

Q: Can I request rating updates? Yes! Use the "Update Needed" feature to request fresh ratings.

Q: How often should ratings be updated? We encourage updates when conditions have noticeably changed.

Q: What if I disagree with a rating? Everyone experiences sensory input differently. Your rating helps provide a fuller picture.

Get Started

Ready to use sensory ratings to find your perfect venues? Download KindHours and start exploring with confidence.