noises bother me

[Hazel87]

Yes, I have problems with this as well. It's hit and miss though, I'm almost always fine with eating but then sometimes there'll be a person chewing, whispering, clicking noises, certain 'soft' noises and I literally cannot handle it. I can't even explain it, my whole body wants to run and it's SO hard to stay composed, as an adult I'm better at it than I was as a child but it's really hard. Same thing I feel with other sensory problems I have like heat regulation, certain textiles, loud noises. It's horrible. It's not like these senses are a usual 'distraction' that bothers you or breaks your concentration. I think a lot of people think that's what sensory processing problems are but it's wayyy beyond that. It can be unbearable sometimes! I get really frustrated and annoyed even at minor sounds when Im trying to concentrate but that's not a sensory processing problem. I know when it's sensory processing for me because I feel it in literally every area of my body. If someone is chewing I have to go to the bathroom to get away from it and 'shake' the sound, and pray they're done when I am back. Trying to navigate social situations with sensory processing issues and hiding it is hell sometimes!

I haven't found anything that helps to be honest. It's the one struggle that I've seen no improvement in. In fact, sometimes I think it is getting worse! Even with my medications, doesn't help.

[ADanne]

I experience this. I'm in college and if I have a final in a lecture hall... oh boy. What a nightmare. I become hyperaware of all the noises in the otherwise quiet room. Someone sniffling, someone tapping their foot, chewing their gum. I get locked onto those sounds and can't let go or focus on my test. It's awful. I totally get where you're coming from.

[AmyJ23]

Noises bother me too. I've been reading the threads here for a long time and I just read your thread. I bought a filtered pair of earplugs from Big Ear that filter out noise but makes you able to hear other sound. They are originally made for motorcycle riding but they work really well.