help understanding sound sensitivity

I can cope with noises that I have control over, but any random noise that I can't control, like lawn-mowers, creaking sounds from next door, construction work, dogs barking, makes me stressed. The stress is worse if I am having a bad day already, if the noise goes on for a long time, and if I am trying to concentrate on something else. I also pick up on tiny little noises that don't bother other people, particularly when I am trying to get to sleep.

Noise on its own is stressful enough, but when it is combined with random movement and other stimuli, the anxiety can go sky-high and I have to escape the situation. I think that this is why I have a low crowd stress threshold, and avoid busy places as far as possible.

My daughter experiences similar issues to Longman with noise but can tolerate other loud noises that drive me mad like really loud tv or music or the bowling complex.

I have noticed though, that she can pick some noises up much quicker than I can (and my hearing is pretty good) such as the phone ringing over the vacum cleaner or my mobile getting a text when we're out shopping and its in my bag.  I wondered if it was to do with pitch?

I am surprised this hasn't drawn more replies, as in my understanding of things this is commonly reported.

Speaking personally my hearing is still excellent. But I'm very sensitive to sudden, loud noise, and also cannot process speech properly in noisy environments.

The latter, I've found, isn't just a AS experience, people with dyslexia often report this, and others I've me who evidently suffer from it but have no known disability. If there is any background, even quite moderate (other people talking, music, general noise) I have difficulty hearing what people are saying, and it often sounds like a foreign language. I end up having to ask things to be repeated, and often not being able to make sense at all. I then end up saying I have a hearing problem, so next time someone sees me pick up on something distant I get - I thought you had a hearing problem. Or they shout close up in my ear, which strangely doesn't resolve the issue.

The sudden or loud noise thing really is an issue. I really do "jump" at things others think aren't loud, and am often left quite jittery afterwards. Things like babies crying, kids high pitched yells, car exhaust backfires, firework bangs, car and house alarms, while they affect others seem to affect me worse.

Yet for some reason sustained loud noise is much less of a problem. I found, for example, I could go to clubs with loud music, but because it was predictable I seemed to be OK. Yet I have trouble in railway stations, busy supermarkets (tills ringing and fridge units seem to be worst) or anywhere with too much going on.

But as I say my hearing is otherwise good. I've had hearing tests because of the above difficulties and passed. So I guess it must be neurological - my understanding is it is a difficulty filtering out background - I tend to hear everything. In a noisy cafe I can hear conversations at distant tables, but someone talks to me and I cannot make out what they are saying.

ty :)

Hi shopgirl,

From my understanding it is more neurological, My son is due to be screened by the occupational therapy department, as they are they ones who perform the sensitivity screening