If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable around loud noises, you are not alone. Many people suffer from misophonia, a condition that is both common and not yet medically recognized. There are many possible causes, as well as treatment and strategies to deal with the problem.
Symptoms
If you’re constantly irritated by loud noises, you may have a condition known as hyperacusis. This condition affects your sensitivity to sounds and can negatively impact your life, relationships, work, and general wellbeing. It can occur suddenly or develop over time and can have a major impact on your quality of life.
A person with this condition will experience repeated noises as unbearable, and may avoid certain places and situations. The sounds may include the sounds of people breathing, car horns, and sibilant sounds. Other noises may include the sound of dogs whining, children yelling, and other loud noises.
People who have misophonia are extremely sensitive to certain sounds, and their reactions vary from annoyance to anger. This is an overreactive condition triggered by other people’s sounds, and a person who experiences misophonia can be frightened, angry, or even flee a room when a loud noise irritates them.
Causes
If you have a sensitivity to loud noises, you may experience a disorder called misophonia. This condition is characterized by an abnormal negative reaction to certain sounds, and can cause anxiety, panic, or rage. It can interfere with your daily life and may not be treatable.
Causes of getting irritated by noises include tinnitus and hyperacusis. These conditions affect the way we perceive sounds, and can be caused by long-term noise exposure, stress, or certain medical conditions. In some cases, however, there is no obvious cause, and the symptoms can last for days or weeks.
In one study, the level of aircraft noise in a neighbourhood was linked with the likelihood of people becoming depressed. People who lived in such areas were more likely to be affected by noise than those living in quiet areas. Moreover, those who had high levels of annoyance were more likely to seek out medical attention for stress or anxiety, and to use psychotropic drugs.
Treatment
If you suffer from being irritated by loud noises, there are various treatment options available. The first is sound desensitization, which involves wearing a device in the affected ear and listening to very quiet noises for a certain period of time each day. Over time, this can help the patient build up their tolerance to louder noises.
People who suffer from irritated by loud noises have a condition known as hyperacusis. This disorder affects the way the brain perceives sounds. It can cause pain or discomfort from everyday sounds, and can affect relationships, school, work, and general well-being. The condition can occur in one or both ears, and can start suddenly or gradually.
The treatment for misophonia depends on the cause of the disorder. Depending on the cause of the sensitivity, misophonia can trigger various negative reactions, including violent or impulsive thoughts. In addition, patients may even react by mocking or imitating sounds. Cognitive behavioural therapy, which focuses on challenging the patient’s negative thoughts, is a common treatment for this condition. If this method does not work, a doctor can prescribe medications that can help the sufferer overcome misophonia.
Strategies
If you are a frequent sufferer of anxiety and sensitivity to loud noises, there are strategies you can use to reduce your stress levels and reduce the impact of loud noises on your life. These strategies include learning to ignore loud noises and practicing relaxation techniques. You can also try sound therapy to overcome your sensitivity to loud noises.
