Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is anyone else really senstive to noises?

34 replies

RipWheelersBeard · 02/02/2023 13:15

It's something I really struggle with and it makes me feel like I'm really strange. I've always been like this. The biggest one is people eating, it makes me feel so irrationally angry and emotional when people are eating loudly and I don't know why. I've got tactics for it at home and at work, but sometimes there's no escaping it. The other day at work it was so bad that I was nearly in tears as I couldn't get away from it and I have no idea why. I would never ask anyone to stop eating as I know it's my problem. I also struggle to sleep at night if there's any noise, I usually wear ear plugs

Currently 2 colleagues are crunching crisps and rustling the packets really loudly, the radio is on and we've got a fire alarm test going on and I feel like my head is about to explode. It's like my brain gets overwhelmed and can't function, and I can't focus on anything else. I just want to run away and scream and I'm not certain this is normal

OP posts:
Witsendwilly · 02/02/2023 13:18

Yes me. Especially when I am
super stressed and run down.

I can’t help, but will be watching with interest.

GoodnightJude1 · 02/02/2023 13:19

I sympathise OP.
I can’t stand hearing people eating loudly and the television is too loud, especially in the evening it can drive me nuts.
The other evening DH had got in to bed at about 11pm and I’d been watching something on tele but was just falling asleep and suddenly he whacked the volume right up and promptly fell asleep…u was nearly in tears trying to find the remote to turn it down. I’m certainly becoming more sensitive to noises the older I get.

Commonsensitivity · 02/02/2023 13:20

My children watch YouTube. It kills my soul. I know what you mean.

MuggleMe · 02/02/2023 13:21

Get flare ear plugs, they are silicone but hollow and tune out a lot of these noises.

FeltCarrot · 02/02/2023 13:23

Misophonia. I too can’t bear to hear people eating. DS is eating a biscuit next to me now and I can hear his jaws clicking. Aaaaargh!

Original poster
RipWheelersBeard · 02/02/2023 13:25

Well I'm so glad other people understand me! I think DH thinks I'm bonkers

OP posts:
Original poster
RipWheelersBeard · 02/02/2023 13:26

Another one is those packing tape things that are used to seal parcels. My colleague uses it at his desk and it's the worst noise in the world. Every time he starts I want to punch him in the face

OP posts:
Blackbirdblue30 · 02/02/2023 13:27

Exactly the same; I could have written this! In addition to this, I am also very sensitive to typewriter sounds and I cannot stand the high-pitched squeal that children make.

My new job is beside a creche playground and I'm in the office with three constant eaters and a radio. It's a bit much....

I have used foam ear plugs that muffle the worst of it and depending on how you wear your hair, no-one needs to know about, and I've had Loop earplugs recommended which I've since ordered.

It's called misophonoia.

FloofyDuck · 02/02/2023 13:28

My DD is like this. She has to wear noise cancelling headphones. But they only help to an extent because she also picks up sound vibrations and that distresses her. Pretty sure she's autistic but misophonia is also a thing. There are a couple of sounds that give me irrational rage too so I feel for you OP.

GloomyDarkness · 02/02/2023 13:31

yes if I'm tired or trying to concentrate - mostly eating isn't an issue but sometime DH strange noises can be.

DD1 though is super sensitive and always had been - she increasingly using headphones to control the noise and says she award of safety issues while wondering around. I was think she'll need ear plus for uni life so will look at flare ear plugs and any other suggestions.

keri17 · 02/02/2023 13:31

Misophonia can be confused with hyperacusis. Misophonia caused emotional pain but hyperacusis causes physical pain in the ear.

my daughter has been having therapy for hyperacusis for years.

Aintgotthatswing · 02/02/2023 13:34

Yes. People eating apples, people clattering spoons in cereal bowls or yoghurt pots, and sopranos or choir boys singing especially when they sing in public spaces and not in their designated spaces.

Original poster
RipWheelersBeard · 02/02/2023 13:37

I'm soon going to be working from home on my own which I'm hoping will help day to day. For people who wear ear plugs, do they drown out people talking as well? As I have to answer the phone a lot, and there's a lot of work related conversations so I worry that this would be muffled too?

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 02/02/2023 13:37

I can be like if someone is having a conversation near me I struggle to concentrate on my conversation and noises annoy me quicker than they would other people. DH eats quite loudly and I have to refrain from moaning at him

Original poster
RipWheelersBeard · 02/02/2023 13:37

@keri17 mine is definitely an emotional reaction rather than physical pain

OP posts:
Berlinlover · 02/02/2023 13:38

I’ve suffered with misophonia since I was a child but it has definitely got worse as I’ve got older.

keri17 · 02/02/2023 13:39

I use apple AirPods and I really like the noise cancellation on them

Aintgotthatswing · 02/02/2023 13:41

Mine's an emotional reaction I guess but the noises I described make me feel a rush of enormous and disturbing violence when usually I'm pretty mild and easy going.

strawberriesarenot · 02/02/2023 13:41

Yes, and as well as eating, rustling noises. Like a really rustling rainjacket, and someone I know who continually rubs one shoe across another, and people scuffling around in crisp packets.

It's much worse when you are tired or stressed.

Original poster
RipWheelersBeard · 02/02/2023 13:44

@Aintgotthatswing yes exactly that! I think I could easily murder someone with the rage caused by it

OP posts:
Laffinalltheway · 02/02/2023 13:45

I've been diagnosed with tinnitus, so noises at certain frequencies, like music, tannoy announcements, alarms etc. cause me rotten pain. It's like it's banging around inside my head and it takes ages, days sometimes, to come out.
Also noises like crockery being put away in cupboards, kitchen cabinets being closed loudly and one of the worst, people talking loudly/screaming in indoor swimming pools (fortunately that one can be pretty much avoided).

Gingernaut · 02/02/2023 13:50

Misophonia

I work in a telephone call centre, without noise cancelling headsets

The constant chatter, external noises, mechanical noises from the plant room above us, alarms, door buzzers and the constantly ringing phones drive me nuts.

Add a fucking radio on low volume and I'm nearly murderous by the end of shift.

I've tried switching it off, but people complain they can't stand the silence !!!!

Aintgotthatswing · 02/02/2023 13:52

Rip I know! It almost scares me, and I think people who haven't got it would not understand. It's like a flame that roars up inside when the particular sound happens.

Bonjovispjs · 02/02/2023 13:54

Yep, I have misophonia too, it's a right pain and noisy eating especially is absolute torture to me.

peasandquiets · 02/02/2023 14:13

I have this too. Could you be a highly sensitive person (HSP) OP? Are you quite sensitive in other areas too or just with noises?