being overwhelmed by noise

[shydi]

I was just wondering if anyone out there gets very overwhelmed by noise (sometimes worse than others).I try to use my walkman to cover it up if I am out but sometimes I am not sure what is worse the noise out there or the walkman! And earplugs well first I then can hear my heart and if someone tries to talk to me!..

[WSJ]

Yes, very much so.  I also have soft sound sensitivity, otherwise known as 4S.  I sleep wearing earplugs, and work with earplugs if I'm concentrating at the computer.

[radames]

At times I can be sensitive to noises because I am so involved with what is going on outside of me, but as I have been searching on the inside much more lately, I have been able to tune out other noises.  I listen to my soul.  Maybe you could try that?  Quieten yourself to listen to your heart.  Listen to the sounds coming from you by concentrating on your breathing, humming, etc.  It is meditation that quietens one's self.

[Fran]

Yes, I'm very sensitive to noise.

[Bataar]

When I listen to music or watch movies, I like them loud, but that's about it.  I want to be fully immersed.  However, other noises I don't like.  When I was growing up, my dad would take my brother and I out target shooting and he thought I was odd because of my dislike of the loud noises.  To this day, I still enjoy shooting, but I wear earplugs with "ear muffs" over the top.

[DavidX]

We all seem in agreement here!

I especially dislike it at restaurants or social events when the music starts loud and only gets louder.  Everybody has to shout, and real conversation is impossible.  My head almost explodes under these conditions.

[radames]

At the moment I am listrening to some metal really loudly.  I actually feel comfort with it.  Interesting.  The low-key, "sappy" music seems not to go deep enough into the psych for me, even I do like some.

[Bataar]

Unfortunately, perhaps due to riding public buses to and from high school, I think the worst sound in the world is a screaming baby.  I just hate that so much.  Probably an indication I shouldn't be a father

[radames]

Hey Bataar, I also have had trouble with a screaming baby.  They can really tug at your emotions can't they?  I think that this is why maternal instincts are so naturally strong with women.  It is almost on a psychic level for them.  Perhaps I can relate to the pain that the baby is in because it has been such a norm for me in life.
Now, however, I can pretty much tune out a crying baby being that it isn't mine and I am not responsible for comforting it.
I saw an Oprah special where one lady was so in tune with her baby that it didn't really cry that often, or loudly, because she knew what it wanted from close and constant observation of the variety of cries.  If a parent can meet a baby's needs when it cries as a newborn, it will cry less and less as it grows up, and won't be tempted to cry just to get what it wants.  In essence, it will only use crying when it NEEDS something rather than out of frustration because you aren't meeting its needs.  Here is a site that is very valuable, in my opinion. 

http://hubpages.com/hub/Why_is_my_baby_crying

[Orion]

I am OK with noise.  The only "noise" to my ears is useless chitchat heard in and around the workplace, but other than that, I am exposed to so much noise that it all blends together for me after a while. 

As long as I have quiet spaces to expand my mind like libraries then I am set.

[blue innie-gal]

I totally come unglued when teenagers pass the house with their extremely loud music and mufflers rattling our windows....and my nerves!

[John]

I had the pleasure of having one of those teenagers pull up behind me at a red light. As I looked in my rear view mirror to see if I recognized the individual. I saw him remove a set of ear plugs that were hanging on his rear view mirror, insert them in his ears and proceed to increase an already unacceptable volume. 

I enjoy being immersed in my music or movies also, but social gatherings or public places, no thanks.

[boomergal]

Going out shopping is very difficult for me, because I am overwhelmed by the sound of crying children, and any type of loud noise.  I get really nervous, and I notice this is getting worse as I age.  Getting caught in a crowd is also very disconcerting, because of all the different noises from several different conversations.

[hspKaty]

Yes, noise can be very upsetting to me.  However, I think there is a difference between "noise", and sound such as music that we like and are listening to.

Some of the most disturbing noises to me are: doors banging, fire crackers,  someone else's boom box blasting, esp. in cars passing by or parked.  They have to finish listening to their "music".

Actually any very sudden loud noise startles me.. I actually scream sometimes.

Katy

[Sharona]

I have this same sensitivity to noise and I have to take timeout during the day.  It's getting worse with age.  I have started running at lunch time and this has helped a lot.  Getting out of the office and spending time outside is very restful.