I have met many deaf people who have no problem with people applauding - 2 of them were incredible musical performers, somehow played duets when they were not facing each other - they can see the smiles and know that the movements indicate approval and pleasure. As a singer I love to get applause when our little choir performs; we've worked hard and it's nice to be appreciated. Hand-waving doesn't really cut it.
Autism is a little different. The little boy next door is autistic and hugely sensitive to sound, but is living normally at the village school by the use of large earphones. I remember how limited and distressed he was before he got them (he's 6). Even so, the rest of us cannot be constrained in a normal human reaction, to suit a minority. He is learning to live with us and we must learn to appreciate that earphones are sometimes a necessity for others. I don't really see the problem. A question of goodwill and adjustment.