Hello,

If this is the wrong place to put this, I am sorry. I looked at all the many, many places someone could post and was overwhelmed (can't see the forest for all the trees you know). I've got ADHD, afterall.

My problem is that since moving, I've developed an EXTREME sensitivity to noise - neighbors TV's, their "music", noisy children, etc. I have to turn up my own volume for it to be able to compete against theirs. Then my own irritates me. I've even gone and bought some noise-canceling headphones.

Nothing seems to be working! Can anyone help? Any suggestions? Any links with information?

I'm also bipolar, and I have Irlen Syndrome.

I sure could use some help. I don't want to become the neighborhood nuisance, instead of my neighbors.

Thanks.
Candy

You have dexcribed hypersensitivity to sound. There is a subforum for sensory issues here in the add forums.

It is not unusual for people who have adhd or bipolar disorder, or autism to have sensory issues. One of the things about it that seems to be consistent is that stress makes it worse.

Approximately 20% of those who have adhd are hyperpsensitive in some way. I imagine that those who have bipolar disorder are afflicted in similar numbers. As I understand it, a somewhat higher percentage of those in the autism spectrum are affected by hypersensitivity.

Basically, if you have too much input, your brain cannot process it all, and you emd up overloaded becaue your brain can not filter out unwanted noise very well.

I have sensory issues, and there is nothing that I have found in terms of medication or lifestyle change that keeps it from happening. I do take risperdal for my sensory issues on an as-needed basis, and it helps me avoid getting overwhelmed. When I take it, I don't care so much about sound. Other than that, I simply have to manage my sensory load as best I can.

It might be a touch of sensory integration disorder,. It might not be, but since you are bipolar it is not totally surprising that you are hypersensitive.

Some medications can make hypersensitivity worse. I don't have a list of those, maybe someone who has such a list can post it.

The thing that stands out is that you seem to indicate that it suddenly got worse. This could be due to changing your environment, and possibly increasing your stress.

One possible physical cause could be that you might have a hearing problem. It seems unlikely in the face of the fact that your sensitivity is easily explained by bipolar disorder, but it might be worthwhile for you to go to an audiolgist to have your hearing checked.

Hypersenitivity to sound caused by a hearing loss is called hyperacusous, and it can be so severe that it is effectively disables a person, so it is not a good idea to take it too lightly.

See your doctor, and possibly see your audiologist. :)

ME :D

Candy, Speedo mentioned stress increasing the sensory issues. I have hearing sensitivity as well, at work and just certain frequencies. It does increase with stress, so it makes sense with all of the changes you are going through right now. At work, even though it is quiet, my cubemate who has a voice like a man, her voice carries so, and is the WRONG frequency for me to tolerate, I often have to wait till she is done yacking to get back to work. Working is about the only time I am affected, and thunderstorms. But, what I find that works, at work, for me, is those little earplugs, like one would use for shooting. YOu can find them in the sporting goods store, and they filter a lot out without being bulky. If it gets real bad for me, I can use put my ipod plugs in over those, and be pretty happy with my own noise. Other than that, and what speedo said, I wonder if relaxing techniques might be of benefit too. Remember, you cannot change others, only yourself. ;-)

Yes, earplugs are great. I have a pair of custom earplugs that my audiologist made for me, they are wonderful. Try not to overuse them because if you wear them too much you may become habituated to them and your hypersensitivity will increase. :eek: :faint:

Do whatever works, and be kind to you. :)

ME :D

Yeahhhhh, good point. :foot: White noise is great too, just thought of that one. I run some fans sometimes at night, to keep the pets from yacking if THEY hear something yackworthy. It works during the day too, and might filter out the neighbor-noise.

hyperpsensitive...............>><<hey candy .....>>>i knows what you mean i have the same porblem but mines allways there i have allways had it nothing so far helps as alot have said stresss dose play a part an i can lower that bit ,,,,as two....other ways...maybe sound poffing your wa;lls would help....closeing in....devics,,that will help so you get injoyment and like you i get. i hear the tub in the back tv an computer screen drives me mad ....good luck candy an a warmwellcome to the forums as wll dorm

Totally there with ya Candy. Had "neighbors" like that couple years ago. The whole block celebrated when they moved. But I have a couple of odd tips for you: Soft furnishings and Visspasana.

Soft furnisings like drapes, carpets and plants help to absorb sound by removing the total area of surfaces that can reflect sound waves. Books are also good for this, especially against an apartment wall if you have noisy neighbors. (ok plants and books aren't really soft furnishings but they do help :))

Visspasana (I'm sure that's mispelled) is kind of meditation where you focus on certain things like sounds or feelings. There's a great thread on it in the Meditation section over in Treatment. Don't know how it does it but I've used it to deal with my traffic noise issue and it's worked well.

Good luck

All of the above are most excellent answers so mine may seem simplistic, I simply do not live in apartments. I look for dwellings that are away from neighbors, Air absorbs sound especially at least 200 feet of it! I live on the out skirts of town, then I can make all the noise I want without having to put up with other peoples

Where can I get some good noise reduction ear phones? My coworkers drive me nuts sometimes...

This site says sensitivity to noise can be a magnesium deficiency or a thyroid problem.

http://www.ithyroid.com/magnesium.htm

This site mentions a thiamin deficiency as a possible cause.
Also says intolerence to noise is a symptom of a b12 deficiency.

http://ehacstl.com/importance_of_nutritional_medicine.htm

It could be any number of things like a thyroid problem or your meds causing some deficiency.

This might be worth considering too. It connects a vitamin A deficiency to noise sensitivity in guinea pigs.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2366106&dopt=Abstract

There is no easy answer to this problem. But if you were to do some research you might figure out what else you may be experiencing to pinpoint which deficiency the meds might be causing you.

Where can I get some good noise reduction ear phones? My coworkers drive me nuts sometimes...Try a medical / industrial supply company? A place that sells hearing aids?

All of the above are most excellent answers so mine may seem simplistic, I simply do not live in apartments. I look for dwellings that are away from neighbors, Air absorbs sound especially at least 200 feet of it! I live on the out skirts of town, then I can make all the noise I want without having to put up with other peoples

I know what you mean about this... as I am stuck in an apartment, and while it's not too noisy, it is enough to distract me at times. It really depends on the dwelling, though (meaning, it's construction). A friend of mine used to live in an apartment that was built well and was quite isolated from noise... The whole two days I was there, I didn't hear anything but what was going on in his apartment.

Welcome Candy, I hope you find a solution that helps soon.

All the best
Tracy

Candy,

I agree, apartments are really hard to live in, I am sensitive to hearing the guy that lives above us. I get so irritated when he stomps up and down the stairs and when he walks so hard through his apartment, I think he will come through the roof.

I have found a couple of things to work for me, yoga, meditation, calming music or nature sounds cd's, burning candles really eases my tension. Also, journaling about my frustrations and talking to my spouse about my feelings, he helps calm me down when I get upset about sounds. I take Magnesium supplements (someone mentioned it earlier) and I have found that they help, I didn't notice that they helped though, until I went off them once.

I have also read on some threads that some people find white noise machines to be helpful, but, I haven't had a chance to try one yet.

Best of luck to you, and welcome, I look forward to getting to know you better.:)

Chele

Have been reading about all these people with ADHD who prefer to work in strange (sometimes noisy) places and it left me wondering if somehow I was really odd. I find it impossible to do any kind of cognitive work without quiet.

Give me silence or give me death :)

I can't even listen to music when I am doing any kind of cognitive task. Background conversation drives me nuts. Even carrying on a conversation while at a bar with music in the background is a real challenge.

Don't know what to suggest -- I just try to create spaces that are quiet and let people I am with know that I have this challenge. I take B supplements and multivitamins so don't think that's it

Also, I too am bipolar -- so donno if there is a link there.

N

It really depends on the dwelling, though (meaning, it's construction).

Guess those well built ones are hard to find. I lived with Gary in an apt. for the first month I was here I was ready to pack up and move back home. I mean people would carry on entire conversation just out side my front door, from the bedroom I could hear the drunk next door vomiting in his toliet around 2:30am nightly like clock work. I knew how often the single lady down stairs "got lucky" weather I wanted to or not I was almost nuts in six weeks.

Gary kept the TV on to drown out all the other noises but the TV was simply an additional noise for me , unless it was turned up loud enough to give me a head ache. I can do music but not all day every day,



I have very sensitive hearing, Some fabrics are too noisy for me to wear because I can hear the friction if it is stiff . I can hear what people say when they mutter under their breath (rather freaks them out some times they think I am reading their mind- :p )

I hear slightly less acute than the dog but I have quicker directional abilities. . . . :o

Guess those well built ones are hard to find. I lived with Gary in an apt. for the first month I was here I was ready to pack up and move back home. I mean people would carry on entire conversation just out side my front door, from the bedroom I could hear the drunk next door vomiting in his toliet around 2:30am nightly like clock work. I knew how often the single lady down stairs "got lucky" weather I wanted to or not I was almost nuts in six weeks.

I'm glad that that doesn't happen too often around my neck of the woods anymore.... But then again, we've had some families that were very dysfunctional.... no need for drunkeness. Fortunately, I rarely see the police around anymore.

I'm glad that that doesn't happen too often around my neck of the woods anymore

Okay which one doesn't happen much in your neck of the woods sex, drunks, barf, clock work or loud conversations. - :p

I know none of these people were trying to be unruly I am sure the single lady down stairs would be horrified if she knew I could hear her "activities" (I am glad she had to be at work early most mornings) the drunk was probably happy he hit the toilet (especially the next day) the people conversing in the walk way were being friendly neighbors (I felt bad about even having urge to open my door yell shut the *&^! up = I never did I knew they weren't trying to be rude).


This complex was considered a nice place. The neighbors were friendly and often had collective pick-nicks out in the garden area. Even the resident drunk wasn't the party animal kind, he drank alone. He was an older single guy who got off work every day and drank beer in front of his TV until he barfed, about 2:30am every morning. We even had a cop living in the complex just across from Gary and I, Most residents there were older singles or couples like Gary and I, Only one or two had very young children because the apartments were very small, too small for families. The manager lived on premises and unruly behavior was not tolerated so it was considered a quiet peaceful place by most standards. These were middle aged nice people who tried to be considerate of each other . . . they were just THERE, on the other side of what seemed to be thin in-door walls and I couldn't help but hear them “live”! (and I hated it) My hearing is very sensitive! :eyebrow:

I have very sensitive hearing, Some fabrics are too noisy for me to wear because I can hear the friction if it is stiff . I can hear what people say when they mutter under their breath (rather freaks them out some times they think I am reading their mind- :p )

I hear slightly less acute than the dog but I have quicker directional abilities. . . . :o
I can really relate. I can't stand those nylon workout pants, certain courderouys (spelling?), etc. Also, I get really irritable when I hear sqeaking shoes, so when people have tennis shoes on and they try to make noise with them, I literally fantasize about strangling them.

Also, I get really irritated with cell-phones. I am tired of having a woman behind me talking into her phone as if she were talking to someone across the store, that shouting kind of talk. I also don't understand why people have their ringers on so loud. Does anyone else have an issue with this?

Do screaming children really bother you?

Okay which one doesn't happen much in your neck of the woods sex, drunks, barf, clock work or loud conversations. - :p

It does... just not right outside my door..... :)

Do screaming children really bother you?

I'm not meadd823... but screaming children really bother me. I used to leave my house when it was really bad, at the time of living with my parents....

:( Even ranting children over the internet, am I right HF?

:( Even ranting children over the internet, am I right HF?

Not nearly as averse.... those just tire me out, not necessarily make me want to run away. :)

I suppose that is an easier option then to actually be in the room with said ranting child. Back OnT yelling and screaming is not as annoying or painful to me as random ranting and babbling from children.

C~F :cool:

Hmm, I guess for me it is the screaming, too high pitched and the crying. Of course, I keep finding myself sitting one table away from adults who talk way too loud and laugh way too loud, it is so intrusive. Sometimes it seems people, especially teens think they are being cool when they are loud, but, they are actually being to opposite.

...must lock self in home on remote island to have peace and quiet.....:faint:

It seems to be a paradox for me. I am very sensitive to sounds as well. However, when I'm at home or in the car by myself I need the radio or television on or I don't feel comfortable. As stated before, it seems some of us are filterless. I have just recently had this revelation thanks to these forums.

I've found that the overstimulation from the noise ie.(4 kids ages 4-10, my wife, 2 televisions going in the house) can be overwhelming to say the least. I found that this dramatically affects me causing irritability that I used to interpret as anxiety. Taking breaks and occasional use of earplugs in the car help a great deal.

Bose makes some excellent noise cancelling head phones that can be used for music or peace and quiet, like on an airplane or whatever. They are not very bulky and have even recently come out with a newer slimmer model. They're a bit pricey but definitely worth it. Might be an excellent solution for you at work.

I guess I got used to the screaming and carrying on back when I had 7 kids+ in my home every other weekend at the minimum. My mother is part of a large and boisterous family too, perhaps my definition of distration-by-sound is different due to that?

I know one thing...baby toys that make noises are definitely distracting! :faint:

C~F :cool:

Eek, baby toys that make noise....they scare me.

I think it's funny, I too like to have the T.V. on in the back-ground. But, give me a sound I don't want to hear, and I flip out.

I will try to headphones.

That makes me think a bit harder about my childhood, actually. I grew up with plenty of silence in BFE and hated it. I prefer background noise as an adult IF its not annoying background noise!

C~F :cool:

Bose makes some excellent noise cancelling head phones that can be used for music or peace and quiet, like on an airplane or whatever. They are not very bulky and have even recently come out with a newer slimmer model. They're a bit pricey but definitely worth it. Might be an excellent solution for you at work.Always wondered about these -- what do you hear? Nothing? White noise hiss? I can't work to music so really what I am looking for is silence or very neutral background noise

GAHHHH! I'm gonna scream!! This lady next to me has a voice like a man, and it's all I can freaking hear! I have my ipod in, and I cannot do ANYTHING while she's yacking on the phone (which she is doing at this moment....so I cann't do anything but keep going to the bathroom and refilling my water which I don't really need to do) and chitchatting with whoever else comes by. Literally, she is three feet away from me. Urgh. So much for production and a good mood. :-(

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/kzrainbow/icon_hhhugs1.gif Ikid! Hang in there! That would bug me too!

Crazy :cool:

Thanks CrazyFeet, need that hug! I forgot my earplugs....

At least at home it's quiet, my heart so goes out to OP! :(

Always wondered about these -- what do you hear? Nothing? White noise hiss? I can't work to music so really what I am looking for is silence or very neutral background noise

The noise cancelling part just means they act like ear protection and let very little sound in. You can use them with your ipod if you want to listen to music or disconnnect them and listen to nothing but silence or much less noise.

Do screaming children really bother you?

Yea especially when they were mine! Now I try to avoid others screaming kids in public, because at my age I figure I have done my time . . . . :D




when people have tennis shoes on and they try to make noise with them, I literally fantasize about strangling them.

Me tooo nor I do understand how people can wear shoes that squeak when they walk. :eek:




I also don't understand why people have their ringers on so loud. Does anyone else have an issue with this?

I assume about 75% of the population is deaf or has some sort of hearing defect which is why they have to have their ringers on soooo loud.

I am bad about having cell phone on vibrate then leaving it in my purse next to soft stuff so when people try to call me I don’t hear the phone vibrating. (more than once I have had people PM me here and tell me to answer my cell phone :p )




Not nearly as averse.... those just tire me out, not necessarily make me want to run away

See they wined me up . . . .then I get tired!




I suppose that is an easier option then to actually be in the room with said ranting child

Well the ones here aren’t as averse because they can be turned off by simply flipping a switch or clicking a mouse!




Might be an excellent solution for you at work.

Unfortunately I have one of those jobs where I must be able to hear what is going on around me ear phones at work are a non-option for me. Some thing about being able to hear patents screaming for help or falling on the floor is seen as important! :rolleyes:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Hhh!!!!
Sorry for being so noisey there meadd823. I only live about thirty miles from you, want to get a cup of coffee some time and enjoy some casual talk?

X-Man

Yea especially when they were mine! Now I try to avoid others screaming kids in public, because at my age I figure I have done my time . . . . :D






Me tooo nor I do understand how people can wear shoes that squeak when they walk. :eek:






I assume about 75% of the population is deaf or has some sort of hearing defect which is why they have to have their ringers on soooo loud.

I am bad about having cell phone on vibrate then leaving it in my purse next to soft stuff so when people try to call me I don’t hear the phone vibrating. (more than once I have had people PM me here and tell me to answer my cell phone :p )






See they wined me up . . . .then I get tired!






Well the ones here aren’t as averse because they can be turned off by simply flipping a switch or clicking a mouse!






Unfortunately I have one of those jobs where I must be able to hear what is going on around me ear phones at work are a non-option for me. Some thing about being able to hear patents screaming for help or falling on the floor is seen as important! :rolleyes:

Yeah. Have issues with noise... BIG time!
Even my neighbor chatting on cellphone on the porch can irritate the hell out of me because the sound of his voice is driving me bananas.
Sometimes the slightest sounds can irritate me.
Solution: Relaxing nature sounds on my Ipod and head phones.
Works wonders.

Maybe I need an IPOD!!!

I was thinking of getting one of those yamaguchi toys to distract me from my annoyance's of other people's sound.

Rghhh......people on cell phones....why do they talk so LOUD? :cool: