HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Sensitive Hearing

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/11/2013 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I know I have posted this before, but it still really bugs me.

My hearing, especially when near or in a flare, is so sensitive. Loud sounds make me jump.

Worse than that, though, is my inability to block out unwanted sound, to focus on the sound I want to listen to. Even in a quiet place, it's like my brain/ear cannot pick out the thing it wants to listen to; all sound blends together. In a loud place, it can be really a problem. In loud places, I feel overwhelmed by the sound.

I carry earplugs for that reason.
Posted 9/11/2013 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sound also bothers me and has recently made me quite jumpy. I know my SO and son like to watch movies in surround sound and it send me to the other end of the house so I don't become overwhelmed. I have especially noticed this when driving and a loud vehicle like a motorcycle or a tractor trailer is passing, it hurt's my head and I quickly close the windows in the car. Concerts are out of the question, as is any loud music. I have also lost my ability to block out unwanted sounds.
I am wondering if any of this is anxiety related, since my reaction is also to jump.
I cannot wear standard earplugs as I have had a radical mastoidectomy, therefore my ear canal on the left is larger than norrmal. Maybe time to invest in some custom ones.
Posted 9/11/2013 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting. Concerts I can still do, and do do when I can. We sit far back, and I use my earplugs if I need to.

I don't think it is overly related to anxiety, or at any rate, doesn't have to be. Loud sounds make me nuts. Motorcycles, fire engines, mowers, etc. all make me jump and cringe.
Posted 9/11/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I am very sensitive to sounds (and touch) and pretty much anything unexpected happening which leads me to startle (I startle 10-100 times a day). I now turn down the TV when my husband and I are watching, I turn down the radio in the car and at times I have to turn it off because the noise just bothers my head. I am just amazed at how all sense are amplified. I do love hearing the birds chirp and the wind but I do worry what I am going to do when I have kids.

When my husband and I grocery shop, if there is a screaming kid that won't stop crying and screaming I am tortured by the sound. It hurts my head and is very painful. My husband nicely takes over the shopping and I sit in the car. However, how am I going to raise the little ones that I really want to have?

Fibro provides us with so many unique problems, grumble grumble
Posted 9/11/2013 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
What about pressure in ears and head anyone have that along with the sensitivity?
Posted 9/11/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have not what I call stuffy ears where they make crackingly swooshing sounds and they feel congested. Is that similar to what you mean?
Posted 9/11/2013 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I never had that problem until I had a bad reaction to Cymbalta. It's one of the side effects. I really do believe it damage my ears. At first I was super senstive, but it has got less. The only thing now I have is I think I need the TV louder or I have trouble hearing people talking. I thought some day I would get it checked. I feel my test would be abnormal, so I guess I am trying to dodge the truth.
Posted 9/11/2013 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I get that crackly whooshing sound in my ears at times. I also am very sensitive to certain sounds... I don't know what they are until they start to bother me then I have to remove myself from the situation before I freak out completely. It really is annoying i now sleep with ear plugs in because my bf snores and it never used to bother me now it can't stand it. If I know I'm going to be in a loud environment I bring my ear plugs as well
Posted 9/11/2013 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, all the time!! My son keeps telling me I should work at the call center where he does....when I protest that my hearing is too bad, he says "you can turn the volume up as loud as you want." Well, that's fine, but it doesn't solve the problem you're talking about, Myself, where all sounds are jumbled together. Or the fact that if it's turned up high enough to hear, it's likely to HURT my ears. (sigh)

I used to love it when the dogs howled. Now I cover my ears until they stop :( I have noticed, though, that when I howl along with them it doesn't sound as loud. Our new puppy is a real sweetie, but she has this bad habit of suddenly letting out a really sharp bark out of nowhere. I think it's done out of antsiness and attention seeking - but if she does it near me, I just yell, "NO!!" and push her away - can't help it, it's a reflex action.

Two days ago I thought I was going to lose it from the football game my husband was watching. The roar of the crowd felt like it was going on in the center of my brain. I did keep grabbing the remote and muting commercials...how those don't bother anyone in the house but me is beyond my comprehension!

I find the feel of earplugs highly unpleasant, but it may be time to get used to it.

Debbie
Posted 9/11/2013 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, the whole call center thing is probably ridiculous for me. Even just answering the phone in my hubby's office, I can't get it right.

I took a message a little while ago from a guy, writing down his name as Lucky. I hate to make people repeat right off the bat, so I figured it was close enough, hubby would know who it was...

A minute ago he called again, and this time I asked him to say it more slowly. It was Mark Ethan.  rolleyes  How in the #%*@ do I get Lucky from that??

Debbie
Posted 9/12/2013 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem. I thought is was just me and my age (57). I cringe at loud noises. Sometimes, when watching TV, the words seem to jumble together and then, eventually, I can understand the words. It is really strange and drives me crazy at times.
Posted 9/12/2013 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Myself

You hit the nail.

Mu hub and daughter have a habit of bickering (not reaLLY loud) right by me and each must have the LAST word.

Background sound seems very in the foreground. Loud heavy metal, babies screeching are like a hive of hornets in my brain and completely scramble any thoughts I am trying to process.

And sometimes it enrages me and I feel like I see red. I am sorry y'all suffer from it also, but glad I am not alone. I absolutely LOVE music, studied classical piano for 16 years and wanted to be a musical therapist. Now I have to pick my music carefully or forego it.

The sound thing and my light sensitivity make it hard to engage in our social, loud society. It just drains you, doesn't it? These and the fatigue are really my worst fibro symptoms at this time.

Thanks for sharing

Mags

Posted 9/12/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
The only way I can work is earplugs. I used to have great concentration, and still can, but I need to block out all sound in order to make it work. Now, sitting in an cafe and getting ready to do some work, wearing ear plugs against the people, the clatter, and the infernal background music.

I hate background music in stores. I feel assaulted, especially if there are a lot of people around. And for many people, the way to deal with a large crowd is to turn UP the music.

BTW, do not drive in earplugs. Not good.

Thanks for understanding, chawl.
Posted 9/12/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Nlentz- I notice you mention your sensitivity to sound of things. I also notice you are on Cymbalta. Cymbalta can cause sensitivity to sounds. I read it on line because I suffered from it. Mine was real bad and I also got serotonin syndrom from Cymbalta. I am glade your able to take it. Hope it's working for you.
Posted 9/13/2013 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
Lots of sounds bug me, and when there are lots of people in a room (family dinners) I can't separate the conversations like I used to..
Most things I can try to block out..but the one thing that makes me absolutely NUTS is my husbands music!!!! He LOVES Banjo/bluegrass music, and to me it is like raking nails over a chalkboard!!!!! I could just BRAIN him when he plays it in the car..
My only other biggest complaint, really..other than aches and pains, is getting in and out of his car..it is a small compact and sits very low to the ground. I can't stand taking it shopping or anything that will cause several in/out stops..darn near kills me by the end of the day. But we take it because it is more efficent than my big suburban..sigh.. oh well
Posted 9/13/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Ak Angel:
Yes I believe it could be caused by the cymbalta. Cymbalta is also making my GERD worse. I promised myself I would try it for 4 months, and then re-evaluate. My dr wants me to go from 60mg to 90mg, but not until we are past this concussion. She started me on 30.
Posted 9/13/2013 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
 SHAY!!!!, you sound just like me!, I too am always turning down the radio and have to be out of the room when my family watches tv. I jump sometimes at the oddest noises that should have no effect on me,

for instance, yesterday my hubby and I were listening to this Dr. on youtube about fibro. and I am laying on the couch just trying to stay focused and suddenly my husband says something & I jump as if I had just seen a ghost?!

this happened several xs yesterday. If the doorbell rang or phone or someone just saying something...jump, jump, jump

My eyes are so sensitive now too...dry eye is horrible (using drops and gel) but can't handle the sunlight well

what a mess this all is

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply