Noise Sensitivity Getting Worse

[WrendaleCountryDogs]

I'm 35. I was diagnosed ADHD 2 years ago and I'm mediated.
Over the past year or so I've noticed I'm sensitive to some noises. My biggest one is hand dryers. Up until 12 months ago I never had an issue. Now I really dislike them and feel myself going tense. But I'm getting more and more sensitive to every day noises. It's usually repetitive noises or noises that continue for a while.
We have a fire alarm check weekly at work and it sounds for around 2 minutes. I now have to discreetly cover my ears.
Restaurants. I can't stand the loudness of all the different conversations and cutlery/crockery noises

Music in shops seems so so so loud now.

Supermarkets when the music's on and kids are whining.

Honestly it's getting worse and every day there seems to be something new.

Birds tweeting

Currently sat in a room with an electric extractor (bathroom 😳) and the buzzing from it is really irritating me.

I also get tinnitus which seems to be becoming more often. Are the 2 related?
I often wonder if I could be autistic. There is a strong chance with also having adhd. I don't have the "classic" symptoms tho of needing routine, being unable to make eye contact etc though.

I have always been sensitive to noise and when I’m anxious it gets worse. I have some Bose noise cancelling headphones they are brilliant and if I feel overwhelmed I put them on. I have never been diagnosed with anything and at my advanced age do not see the point.

My issue with the headphones I'd worry people were looking at me

Has anybody else got any experience of this? I'm at my wits end. I've just had to turn dancing on ice off as it's just too much noise.

I have both. I can make eye contact and go out of routine. I use active noise cancelling headphones everywhere I go and have my own music on. No one blinks an eye as so many people do the same. I'm really sensitive to noise.

I have some noise sensitivity but not to this extent. This sounds like it’s starting to affect you in your every day life. Are there any specialists you can be referred to for support managing it? Maybe worth a GP trip?
I find I struggle more if I’m tired/stressed or otherwise feeling low. Have you been down or Ill?

I have seen some nice ear rings on Etsy that have an ear bud attached you can slip in to drop out noise. They look nice and. Are discreet if you want something to wear and use when you need. I just think you need to be careful not to use them too much out as I imagine this could make sensitivity worse?( just a guess)

You could use earbuds or there are different noise reducing ones I've seen on Facebook that are fairly discreet.

I do find myself irritated by noise frequently, especially the last spin of the washing machine!

I also have to have absolute silence at bedtime unless it's rain. Not diagnosed with anything but wouldn't come as a total shock if I did.

I've found mine has got worse as I've got older. I suppose mine has coincided with having children and having a more stressful life now.
I use headphones to deal with it.
(ASD)

I’m autistic and have big problems with noise. It is sometimes worse than other times. This is usually when I’m stressed, or as right now, burnt out. For example after a recent serious of disasters I can hardly cope with any sensory disturbance at all. Noise is awful and I’m strung out or startled by anything. All this goes to say that I’m not expecting it to last forever this badly. I also didn’t realise any of this until it was pointed out to me. I’m not aware that I’m not coping until someone tells me! You could be the same. You might be finding life harder and therefore more sensitive than usual and not really very well aware of it.

Oh god, yes, I have terrible problems with noise. I don't have ADHD or autism, but I do suffer from anxiety, so maybe that explains it. It has definitely got worse since I reached my 40s. My current obsession is cars. It's like having flies buzzing around me all day long. Above all, I hate modified exhausts that sound like canons or fireworks going off. Loud car engines really upset me as well. Frankly, I just hate noise full stop.

One of my deepest, darkest fears is ending up next door to noisy chavs. I try not to read the threads about nightmare neighbours. They frighten me. I honestly believe that if I had to move to a big, noisy estate, with loud, intrusive neighbours playing music at 3am, etc, it would be a death sentence. I'd end up taking an overdose. I have actually known two people driven to suicide attempts by noisy chav neighbours. One was a gay guy who lived with his mum, the other was an agoraphobe. Both survived, thankfully. The police did nothing, and the neighbours seemed to take pleasure in torturing them.