Surely I can’t be the only one that gets this sensation!

[IHateCoronavirus]

Now that my teenage DS has a deep voice, if he speaks at a certain angle behind my back (quite close and a little off centre to my right) I get an unpleasant sensation like a cold chill or electric shock that runs down my spine. It always makes me jump!

It happens with other low frequency sounds too, like hair clippers etc.

No one else in my house experiences anything like it. I’ve tried to google to prove it is a thing but all I have come up with is some scratchy thing on YouTube but it isn’t that.

Anyone experience the same thing, or know what it is called?

Is it like the opposite of frisson?

I think I know what you mean. Look up ASMR, or 'head orgasms' - although I wouldn't describe the feeling as enjoyable, quite uncomfortable we are talking about the same sensation.

if* we are

I get frisson too, but this is different, possibly opposite. 🤷‍♀️
It is verging on painful. The sound has to be located at a certain place behind me to get the response. If the sound was made at the left side of my spine but roughly in the same location I wouldn’t experience the sensation at all. It can be very embarrassing as the shock of it can make me yelp!

I used to get this with DH whispering in my ear - only sometimes, must have been certain angles. I can't stand it. I also absolutely hate seeing/hearing anyone brush their teeth, in real life or on TV.

@warriorsmain
Look up ASMR, or 'head orgasms' - although I wouldn't describe the feeling as enjoyable, quite uncomfortable

ASMR is an extremely enjoyable, euphoric sensation! It sends me off to sleep every night. It's nothing like what the OP describes.

I get this but only with certain high pitched sounds.

I must admit we’re a few years into the teenage years and I still am surprised occasionally at DS’s low voice 😂

Hyperacusis

warriorsmain I’ve had a quick watch of some of the ASMR clips on YouTube but they don’t make me experience that sensation. Do you get an unpleasant shock type feeling when you watch them. Maybe I just have a really specific type.

@TooMuchBloodyChoice

I get this but only with certain high pitched sounds.

I must admit we’re a few years into the teenage years and I still am surprised occasionally at DS’s low voice 😂

"ASMR - wikipedia.org
Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. A pleasant form of paresthesia, it has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia and may overlap with frisson"

@YellowSock

Hyperacusis

Possibly this. It says it is more common in people with a history of hearing loss. As a child I often had ear, nose and throat infections so it is possible.

SurreyHillsGirl do you only get the pleasent sensation? If someone made a low sound behind you would it make you react?

I haven't watched the videos but I get ASMR from having my hair stroked a certain way which is very relaxing, but this other tingle sensation I get is just on the back of my neck, to the left and only when someone breathes or talks in a certain way at the the correct angle.

warriorsmain yes mine is only to the right! Oh well at least I’m not imagining it

@IHateCoronavirus
SurreyHillsGirl do you only get the pleasent sensation? If someone made a low sound behind you would it make you react?

The sound you describe wouldn't induce ASMR as is not an ASMR trigger. ASMR is a blissful, euphoric sensation. I use it to help me to fall into a deep sleep and also to meditate.

Ok so definitely not that then. To put mine into context, if I was given the choice between someone knowingly making a sound which would trigger that sensation, or having an injection/giving blood. I’d choose the needle every time.

ASMR is something one would seek out, it's an incredible feeling.

Yours sounds like something akin to nails on a blackboard.. no idea what that is called though!

I get something similar with DP

Like a sharp shock-like sensation but its more up my neck, behind my ear and down to my side

Its normally when he talks behind me im the right place but I also get it when he breathes. Sometimes if I know hes behind me I get it regardless.

Its not like ASMR. Probably get it with peolle other than DP just hes the only one close enough!

www.newscientist.com/article/2123018-the-feeling-you-get-when-nails-scratch-a-blackboard-has-a-name/#:~:text=Spanish%20speakers%20say%20they%20feel,as%20distinct%20from%20other%20emotions

This could be it...

Low frequencies can cause all sorts of weirdness: Richard Wiseman's done research into it - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2309505.stm

Maybe it is some left over evolutionary response to make sure I don’t get mugged from behind by a killer bee 🐝

I definitely have some form of hyperacusis btw

Lots of loud noises really stress me out and make me really angry. Its like almost a pain in my brain

Funny, I'd recently assumed that mine was a form of asmr - are you sure you can't have an opposite reaction? I hate loads of those "tickly" videos. Can't imagine anything of the sort giving any pleasure!

ChubbyPigeon yes! It happens when DS breathes too!