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Acute Intolorance to Selective sounds

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Posted 2/10/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Bipolar 2 Disorder.

Does any one experience sounds that drive oneself into an uncontrollable anger and rage; a reaction to a sound that is completely intolerable. When I hear my certain selection of sounds that bother me, it feels like mental torture. It has been going on for 30 years. I went to an audiologist and my hearing is healthy, I do not have hyperacusis, or tinnitus. Therefore, the sounds do not hurt my ears, but my mental state: I go partially insane. If any one experiences similar to this, please come forward, or any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 2/11/2010 1:40 PM (GMT 0)

Hi...I have what I call an abnormal reaction to sounds that wouldn't bother a 'normal' person.  I do have fibromyalgia along with anxiety and have always thought my sensativity to noise was from my fibro, as many with this disease complain about this symptom.  I go insane when the hubby is on the computer and he keeps the sound cranked up...all the clings and clangs when someone signs on or off...the 'airplane buzzing' feature some people use when they log on.  If we are in the car and loose a radio station because we are out of range....he will try to listen to that static for miles until I loose it and turn it off.  My brain can't handle it.  Crying babies on a television show...I leave the room.  I don't know what it is, and I don't go into a rage or anything but it effects me mentally.  I DO have Meniere's disease and have lost a portion of my hearing so you would think these things wouldn't even be inaudible to me, as I can't even hear the doorbell ring.  If we go to a concert or somewhere where I know it is going to be loud, I wear those ugly monster head set, noise blocking thingys...yes I do!  Very attractive.

Wish I could help you more, but all I can do is relate.

Donna

Posted 2/12/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you vestabula, for your feedback.

Many of the sounds that you described, are strikingly similar to mine. You've mentioned Fybromyalgia and Meniere's disease, these are physical conditions. Having said that and researching, I am beginning to wonder if these sound difficulties are to be treated with something other than psyche meds, which don't work. Perhaps, this is a physical condition. I have also had a minor head injury prior to the problem. I'm guessing that I have had damage to my temporal lobe. There is a name for this condition, it is called Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome, or 4S. I have found a forum for those with 4S. They say it is a poorly understood condition. The information I have read so far, equate to my behaviors, types of sounds, and statistics such as age of onset, gender and recollection of first experience. While there has been diligent efforts to raise awareness of 4S within the medical and scientific communities, at this time there is little scientifically validated information to report.
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