Anyone else REALLY sensitive to noise?

[Mcvj]

Bit of a strange one this, and I'm quite certain it's more of a mental issue rather than my ears being too sensitive...

Basically, I can get very irritated by strange/continuous/unnecessary noises. It can cause problems because no-one else can comprehend my views towards it.

My dad used to be very stressed at work when I was growing up and he was very particular about noise in the house (I still struggle to eat an apple without being aware of the noise I make). I sometimes look at people with complete aghast because I can't understand how they are not aware of the noise they produce. One guy in particular swills all liquids in his mouth before swallowing, makes me feel sick. I can't be around someone at work because he breaths through his mouth and sounds like Darth Vader!

I can get really frustrated at home if the TV is on and people talk over it if they have to raise their voice. Just mute the TV and speak normally! Or don't try to shout me when I'm in another room and the TV is on. I really can't comprehend more than one thing happening at once and I just end up getting really irritated, like all I can hear is a loud noise cant decipher.

I'm also susceptible to being jumpy too, they laugh at work because they need to announce their intent to approach my desk. At least 3 times a day I will be shocked out of my skin by a noise - it's horrible!

What the hell is this? Is this common because my friends treat me like a bit of a freak! Could it just be stress like my dad?

Thanks xx

[EvianBaby]

I relate to every single thing you mentioned, apart from the jumpyness.

I don't think it's particularly different though. I imagine a lot of people hold the same feelings.

[Mcvj]

Well that's reassuring! I spoke to one girl about it before, she was unable to sleep unless her fella was already sleeping because she could clearly hear him blinking!

I wish that I could just calm down about it though. I realise that I'm being irrational in comparison to others, it does really affect me though.

[JonnyBoy12]

You are in good company as I also hate loud and sudden noise.

Do you like the noise of fingernails being scraped over a blackboard? I do not like this noise personally.

[Quassia]

Hi Mcvj,
could your noise aversion stem from your fathers intolerance of any noise in the home when you were younger? Did your father chastise you for normal everyday noise any child would make? Did you feel anxious not to make noise when you were around him? You say you feel it's more a mental than a physical problem. I just feel reading between the lines , that may be your father placed unfair restrictions on you as a child .. resulting in you being over aware/ anxious of what is considered normal levels of noise . May be you should see your doctor and discuss everything you have said here?

[redcrx]

have you spoken to your doctor about it? my sister started getting pains from loud noises a few years back. In the end she was referred to a therapist at the hospital (after they ran tests) and its now a bit better for her.

[Meg888]

I think it sounds like maybe you tried so hard as a youngster to be quiet and felt so aware of noises you made, that it has spilled over into adulthood, leaving you feeling extremely self conscious. Because you interperate any sound as 'noise' this could explain why you are becoming jumpy. I have a hearing problem, and often don't hear noises/sounds outside my office so if someone just barges in I can be on the floor with fright! Because I relax when it's quiet, so sudden noise is taken as a big shock! I know loads of people (myself included) who have pet hates about paricular noises - the way someone breathes, constant clicking, dripping etc., and these are all fairly common. But I worry that yours may escalate (sorry I don't know your age) the older you get. If it is a nervous condition, then we all get more nervous the older we get, so I would take some advice on it, if it is a phsycological problem, I'm sure it's easily resolved - earlier rather than later

[Quassia]

Sounds very much to me meg like a psychological problem. Mcvj feels the need to mention their father quite early on.

[Mcvj]

Thanks guys,

To clarify, my dad isn't a bad guy, in fact his whole outlook changed when he retired early from work and it's been great getting to know him again, however I think it is a little more than being just irritated. I think that the way my sister and I grew up around him did certainly have an impact and seeing you write similar things has reinforced that for me!

I certainly don't want it to get any worse though. I'm moving back to South Wales next month so I'm sure I'll relax more about outside noises when I'm out of the city and i will certainly keep it in mind to visit a professional about it. Could be one of those situations which will improve with CBT!

Thanks again xx

[Quassia]

I think you could be right Mcvj .. sorry if it sounded like we painted your father as an ogre .. didn't mean to! If you can see a professional about your problem .. I'm sure it could help you. I'm not familiar with Cognitive behavioral therapy ... but have heard of it. Best wishes x

[Mcvj]

Oh you didn't paint him as an ogre at all, don't be silly. I just wanted to clarify, hah!

[Meg888]

Yes Mcvj, I apologise too if I've went over the top on my answer. Good luck with the move & the future x

[Sqad]

This is called Hyperacusus.......Google it for more information and get back to us if you have any queries.

[Mcvj]

Sqad - Wow. I had a look on Wikipedia but the symptoms / gripes sounded different to mine, however I clicked on Misophonia and it is SO accurate.

Check out the Activation scale http://www.misophonia...ctivation-scale.html; I am at a level 5. The problem being is that I know I can be really frustrating for other people. So the Friends/Family section of that website will be really useful to me.

Reading through other people who have similar symptoms is incredible. It has always been one of those things that people just tell me I'm over-sensitive about, or that everyone experiences the same things with different triggers (dripping tap, nails on chalkboard etc), it has been so difficult trying to explain the difference.

That whoosh that I get in my ear (which I can only describe as a feeling of pressure which seems to move across my brain from ear to ear) is experienced by others.

Thank you - feel genuinely giddy about finding this :) xx

[daisya]

I don't like noise either and it bugs me to distraction. Have to agree with all that bill says here...we don't need the noise pollution we have today...even watching tv brings noise in programmes (incessant music for example) which isn't necessary. It's a pity it's happening because it means more and more people are creating noise and expecting it to be tolerated by everyone but not everyone can. I just think we are all different and some can be discerning like bill says and then there's others who really don't care and accept all and sundry. Vive la difference I guess but understanding of others would also help methinks.

[RATTER15]

I have recently discovered that being Dyslexic has explained my irritation of unnecessary noise (a recognised symptom of Dyslexia ) I just cannot concentrate on anything if there is a back ground noise/ music. If I am writing anything I need total silence. I have a lot of difficulties forming sentences and punctuation etc. even with silence. If there is any background interference my brain shuts down to the point that I would even struggle to write my own name and address. This also is evident when working, I find it impossible to work and talk, if some speaks to me while doing even mundane tasks I have to immediately stop what I am doing, this can make life very difficult if im working with a chatterbox. This is more a case of the distraction that is irritating though.