To wonder why I am bothered by impact noise?

[restingintheshade]

I'm not particularly sensitive, don't suffer from anxiety, and usually take life, and other people as they come. I don't mind neighbour noise, construction or busy roads.

But I have noticed over the years that I can't tolerate sudden impact. I hate this because it's pretty much everywhere, and I would prefer to adapt. That said, maybe we aren't supposed to be perpetually stunned by sudden, loud noises, but it does seem to bother me.

Over the years I have tried. I use white noise (can't mask loud impact), doubled up with headphones (no joy), use deep heavy jet noises if staying close to a busy car park or delivery bay, but can't seem to get used to it. Perhaps I shouldn't, and I am responding to a natural shock that might have saved my life in the effing Serengeti ..

So, here I am, waiting to book a break in a quiet place, except the house we really want has a tiny Tesco next door and a car park opposite. There are two parking spaces in front, too. This is great for convenience, and nice for visitors, but I know that the revving up and door slamming will start early and only quieten down at around 7pm.

How do you get used tho this? Is there a secret?I am sure there are much worse things but I can't actually ignore it, no matter how much yoga or meditation i do!
Maybe the world has become so much louder than we were supposed to deal with, but I feel sad and pathetic, since no one else ever seems to care.

Any advice welcome!

Hi, OP. I do empathise with this - I find I am less tolerant of noise as I get older, too.... my DD's friend is neurodivergent and wears the in-ear headphones which seem to help - I know you said you've tried headphones but maybe there is a type out there that will help...
Failing that, something like hypnotherapy?!!

Sorry, but what is impact noise?

You probably have high adrenaline levels so are in flight or fight mode.

No, I don't have high adrenalin, I am not a defect, and I shouldn't have to grow a leathery skin to prove that I'm not overly sensitive or 'weak'.

Apols for the snappishness, but you often see this online, where anyone who doesn't roll in shit or loud noise is somehow considered faulty. I guess no one sits and just exists much now, without distraction. I love reading, painting and writing poetry, and the environmental noise is often a bit of a passion killer

I live in a quiet place, generally, but it's stuffed with cars to the point where people have them up to their fucking doorhandles.

I wondered if I was alone, if anyone else has issues with constant slamming etc, and how they deal with it.

I thought fight or flight was an anxiety or panic related issue. I don't like lots of slamming and banging, whether it's doors, cars or other stuff. I function pretty well as a rule.

Lots of people don't like barking dogs, loud chatter or living next to a school playground, those wouldn't' bother me.
It's simply a difference, not a disorder.

Hi OP, you are definitely not alone. I suffer the same and unfortunately I live next door to the most inconsiderate arseholes you could possibly meet, who slam and bang their way through every day from 8am until midnight. Every noise sets me on edge and it's absolutely miserable.

I'm following this post because I'd like to know how to overcome it. I really, really hate it. And I really, really hate them

I'm also not bothered by things like traffic noise, dogs barking, etc. It's specifically impact noise that makes me so crazy.

You can’t possibly ignore it so start slamming, banging and crashing your way through life like the rest of us.

I'm autistic & have a neighbour who slams their front door multiple times a day; it's a nightmare for my fragile nervous system. I deal with that during the day by wearing in ear loop headphones which does stifle the noise somewhat. During the night I sleep with a humidifier on which drowns out the early morning slamming & other inconsiderate neighbours with stupid loud boy racer car engines. It's miserable.

Yes I can totally relate to this! I don't think I've always been bothered by impact noise though.
Recently I was packing my shopping in the supermarket and someone bashed into the automatic doors with their trolley it made such a loud noise I actually gasped! The woman beside did the same thing and we laughed afterwards she said to me "fuck so many of us are on edge" it made me wonder if that's what it is. Life is so fast all the time, everyone is always rushing around..just my thoughts really

I jump out of my skin when a person in my office sneezes. It actually makes me angry. She thinks it’s funny.

Funmy op l have been thinking as l get older that l can't stand noise now and sudden noises are unbearable. Weird cos they neber used to bother me.

I'm more noise sensitive as I get older too. And I do think the world is getting noisier. I find noise cancelling ear buds help (I listen to book and quiet things). As far as my noisy neighbours, I've just taken their noise as permission to not have to watch mine. That helps a lot as I don't curtail activities I otherwise might have, which means I get that enjoyment.

I've read about this before, it can be a result of menopause.