[Karissa258]

What do you do when you're sensitive to others, to the general chaos and commotion and voice levels of everyday life? When loud talking is disturbing, and you wish they'd quiet down, or a lot of people talking at once doesn't feel so hot. These are inevitable occurances in life, but if they're disturbing to be around, what does one do to cope? It's not like there's a mute button for life.

[Christina86]

Life sure is noisy sometimes!

If it's too much, I get away. Otherwise I take as much noise as I can handle, then relax in a much quieter environment.

I like listening to music. Helps calm me down... so I've always got my headset on (with my iPod). I love musical noise, and chatter... but other noises, I have certain level limits!

[seeker1950]

Interesting topic, Violet.
I too am sensitive to lots of noise and chaos. But...I teach middle school, and thru constant exposure to noise, I've managed to tune much of it out! I used to teach across the hall from the band room. People would come into the classroom and ask how I could stand it. Interesting, I grew not to even hear it!
My most pressing sensitivity to sound has been with sleep. I can't go to sleep with any noise. When I was in college, there was always noise in the dorm, and I developed the habit of putting a heavy pillow over my head to block out noises. When I was married, my husband snored, and I did the same thing with the pillow. I still have that pillow, and still use it as my "comfort" thingy from time to time to go to sleep, though I don't have to do it now, since I have a quiet home.
Patty

<font color="purple">Generaly, If I cover my ears and look miserable enough, they get the picture. </font>

[lenjan]

I am extremely sensitive to noise too. I work with someone in a VERY tiny office who loves to hear himself talk, while I sit there and try to figure out a polite way to say, SHUT UPPPPPPP!!!! Best thing I've found is headphones. In extreme cases, getting up and standing outside for a bit works.

It's also very noisy where I live right around when I'm trying to go to sleep most nights. (My immediate neighbor and one across the alley both work nights, and one drives a motorcycle and one has to load up lots of boxes!) In that case, I try to put on some relaxing music and grit my teeth, LOL -- because even if I manage to fall asleep before either of them zooms off, the noise of the one banging the garage door closed or the other revving his bike will require me to be peeled from the ceiling.

I don't know what else to suggest. Earplugs, maybe? You can get them cheap at most drugstores.

it is a good subject
I have been told my voice if i am not careful gets to loud
so i try to keep it leval
My laugh on the other hand
i guess can be loud too
The one nosie that I have a terrable time with
is the fire whistle
It rings here alot and it really bugs me at times
Music does help and sometimes for me going outside
and just sitting ahwile and thinking helps a ton
as long as the whistle is not ringing

[(JD)]

There are some disorders that make any "noise" highly stressful. Can you carry those foam earplugs that help mute loud sounds? I always carry them when I fly.

I am hard of hearing, so I know when something is loud to me, it is really loud! I've gone to the manager at the movie theater to request they turn a movie down when it's hurting ME to listen to it. (This from a lady who's blown her sub woofer in her car due to overloading the speaker. )

I'm sorry sounds are distracting you, and hope you do find a way to lessen their impact.

[Typo]

I have the same problems, the noise starts a string of chaos and my thoughts start rushing.
I've learned some breathing techniques and to focus on other things, like colors or silently counting to my self to help.
Or I carry my mp3 player around and if I'm in the right place I put my head phones on.
Focusing on just one noise helps too, take one voice or noise and zone in on it.

[jbug]

I've always been sensitive to sound which is wierd because I always have to have some kind of noise on at all times. Be it the T.V., a radio, a fan or what not. Even when I'm sleeping...good thing I wear a CPAP mask so the machine noise is enough for me.

But I don't remember it because I was only 2 but I had a lot of ear problems as a young child and had to have tubes put in my ears and I guess I couldn't hear well before that and my mom said at the hospital I was raising holy H! The nurse asked her if running me a bath would help so mom took me into the bathroom and was running me a bath and I told her to turn the bathtub off because it was too loud LOL. She knew then I'd be ok.

But if I'm at a mall or something the loudness of it all does get overwhelming and I have to leave.

Jbug

[Rapunzel]

See if anything in this article helps:

http://www.hsperson.com/pages/cz_art2.htm

Noise really can get to me too. There are days when I am so overstimulated that I can't stand for anyone to talk to me. I have made my family write me a note if they had to say something to me, because I couldn't deal with any noise at all. I don't go to large public events like sports and concerts because I would turn into a crumpled heap on the floor because they are too loud and I would be in pain.

I discovered when i was an audiology student that most people have a reflex that dampens loud noises, and I do not have that reflex, so I do hear noises louder than others. It was validating to find out about that, because it was so frustrating as a child when everyone around me was yelling and making noise (particularly involving sports, and the lunch line that was in an enclosed place and they sent everyone at the same time so the whole school was lined up all up and down the hallway for what seemed like an hour, and they all seemed to be making as much noise as they possibly could). The noise startled me sometimes, but it actually physically hurt, and I was made fun of and ridiculed by kids and teachers too when I asked people not to be so loud because it hurt my ears.

So, read the article and see if there is anything you might want to try. Also, although it seems counter-intuitive, fighting noise with noise is very effective. A steady low random noise, like electronic whirring or the sound of running water, masks other noises that bother us. You can get a "white noise generator" that produces those low masking tones. Either one to put in your room for sleep and peace at home, or a portable one with earphones that you can take with you.

[Kiya]

Yes..... i often leave places that are too loud. i have terribly sensitive hearing. Like Rap, i avoid loud places (like Costo - it's just too much stimulous and sound), concerts... i take ear plugs to go to Musicals. Tonight at the movies (prince caspian) i plugged my ears during the war scenes. I don't care about embarrassment any more - i take care of my ears, head, and sanity. Loud sounds physically hurt me. If i work with loud people i try to stand further away from them. Lunch rooms at school are hard. I have been flattened to the wall before both from noise and the oncoming panic it brought. Do what you can to take care of yourself!
kiya

[ECHOES]

Finding a way to get away, to the restroom for example, can help.

Also, practicing relaxation exercises gives you the ability to apply some of the methods at any time and any place. You could do this while removed to the restroom or even just while you are in the midst of the chaos. It's helpful to be able to shift your focus away from the chaos around you to your inner being, just focusing on your breathing. In....Out....(Some say on the inhale "I am" and on the exhale "Calm" or something similar. Very calming.

Chaos and noise really bothers me too. Generally I avoid it but of course you can't always. (At one time my closest friend was a neighbor with 7 kids! Always chaos there--fun chaos but still I could only take so much. I would have to go, make my excuse and she would often say with a hearty "Had enough, huh?! )
I'm also hard of hearing (which may be an additional reson for my not being able to deal with noise and chaos, as my wolrd is generally very quiet) and I wear a hearing aid so I am fortunate that I can often simply reach up and turn down or off the hearing aid, muffling the sound and thereby diminishing the feeling of chaos too.
Sky's advice to get earplugs is a great idea to try.

I hope you find what helps you!

[Karissa258]

I try to reply to each post when I start a thread, but I've gotten really backed up with this one. Just want to at least say thank you to everyone who's responded, your suggestions are very helpful, not just for me but others who read the thread as well.

[Rapunzel]

Sometimes it helps just to know you aren't the only one. Thanks for starting this thread.

[CedarS]

Ear plugs help me a lot. And recently I learned a new trick, to give myself time with ear plugs in and other stimuli reduced -before- I'm overwhelmed. Seems to work sort of like taking a nap to take the edge off of possible later stress.

[waffler]

noise, particularly that made by humans sometimes makes me feel panicky and so distressed that i feel physically ill. I have to try to get away from it. If I am helpless, I can spiral into a depressed/anxious/agitated/enraged state and really lose my grip.

That usually happens when i'm already super sensitive, tho.

[waffler]

oops, sorry- I didn't notice page 2, so I replied at the end of page 1.

[Wants2Fly]

Hi Violet -- The owner of the website to which a link was provided also has books about the highly sensitive person. Highly Sensitive Person book

I stumbled on this book by accident in a library. I was already in my 50s. It explained so much about the experience of being high sensitive -- it explained me to me.

One thing that has helped me is having a white noise machine for when I sleep. I take it everywhere with me. It really helps in a motel when there are extraneous noises in hallways or any unfamiliar place.

My brother is the same way. I think my mother is, too, but she will never admit that she is not John Wayne. Wink.

Good thread.

[Rapunzel]

The book is really very good too. I'm responsible for that book being in at least one library. I requested it and they ordered it. Besides the books, there is also a lot of helpful information on the website, but I think most of it is more meaningful if you have read the book. I am a HSP too.

[moodyblu]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Rapunzel said:
The book is really very good too. I'm responsible for that book being in at least one library. I requested it and they ordered it. Besides the books, there is also a lot of helpful information on the website, but I think most of it is more meaningful if you have read the book. I am a HSP too.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I will agree on this also. I am often extreme HSP. Sensitivity to noise is just one of many "issues" with us. It's just the way we are..the way we were born. Elaine Aron's book has been breakthrough and very helpul in understanding who we are... how to deal with it. Know yourself...know what to embrace but also what to avoid. Being HSP can be a very beautiful, soulful experience!
Peace to you...
m.b.

[SerenitysWave]

I am very sensitive to noises esp. voices even whispers sound like shouts at times... If I am home I listen to music, oddly usually very loud music.... or i pop in my CD of ocean waves... it is very soothing... if I am at work or in some other public place I go to another room or take a break and go outside.... I can tune a lot out at times...

[nageshrao]

i too am sensitive to loud sounds

[anna342]

I just wanted to add, that I've had problems with this for several years. I think when anxiety levels are high anyway, noises just feel too much and stress me out. Just getting some rest, some quiet space alone and some time to get yourself together should help.