Noise canceling headphones

I found there was a sensation almost like being underwater, a muted type of pressure.

Also found that they made me slightly on edge, having a sense that's usually annoyingly over active "turned down" wasn't the relief I expected! I felt a bit paranoid at what I was missing.

Yes, I think you described that perfectly! That’s why I decided to not purchase these headphones. Just tried them on. 

It shocked me that when I turned the world down, something I wished I could always do, it felt so weird I wanted the noise back.

I think it actually made me realise that it's how I'm meant to be, so I should accept it more.

On the flip side I still need to shut the noise out (people, my thoughts, ambient noise) to some extent. I tried plugs but they fall/pop out and have a similar effect to the over ear headphones. Also tried ear buds but they're the same, it's like having a finger forced into your ear. so far I  find that the headphones that just sit in your ear work ok, but obviously need to have some music on to block out other sounds, which can be problematic as the lyrics, specific song etc. Distract me.

I've heard grey noise is good for that,  or music that's purely instrumental.

Anything sounds better than my tinnitus though!

It shocked me that when I turned the world down, something I wished I could always do, it felt so weird I wanted the noise back.

I think it actually made me realise that it's how I'm meant to be, so I should accept it more.

On the flip side I still need to shut the noise out (people, my thoughts, ambient noise) to some extent. I tried plugs but they fall/pop out and have a similar effect to the over ear headphones. Also tried ear buds but they're the same, it's like having a finger forced into your ear. so far I  find that the headphones that just sit in your ear work ok, but obviously need to have some music on to block out other sounds, which can be problematic as the lyrics, specific song etc. Distract me.

I've heard grey noise is good for that,  or music that's purely instrumental.

Anything sounds better than my tinnitus though!

I listen to only instrumental music and yes it blocks out noise to some extent. But on a busy street it’s not working, it’s only more and more noise and the music it’s not recognisable and it only makes me stressed and other bad reactions. So if it’s relatively silent, I listen to music, but if it’s loud then I only cover my ears. I would be afraid to walk in the street with noise fully canceled, but with earplugs is ok. I still hear but it’s not that painful. They somehow work for me best and I even got used to feeling them inside my ears. 

I perhaps need to try some Bose ones, that feeling sounds like it's worth paying a little extra for!

Another Autistician said:

It shocked me that when I turned the world down, something I wished I could always do, it felt so weird I wanted the noise back.

It was very different for me. The moment I turned them on I felt an enormous pressure lifted from and the anxiety drained out of me. An amazing and immediate relief.