#hypersensitive hearing

Random explosions going off constantly. Unexpected bright flashing light in the sky. Unqualified people handling explosives.

For my sensory sensitive homies:

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Unwanted noise can be a real pain in the ear. In the medical field, noise sensitivity (or noise intolerance) is called hyperacusis. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, hyperacusis arises from a problem in the way the brain’s central auditory processing center perceives sounds.

As a result, noises that don’t seem loud to someone else will feel overpowering. Something as innocuous as shuffling papers or running a faucet could be as jarring as a jackhammer. High-frequency sounds may be especially troublesome.

In the general population, hyperacusis may be caused by exposure to a loud noise, some medications, and a few medical conditions. Although it hasn’t been formally linked to bipolar disorder, there is a recognized association with other neurologic conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, extreme fatigue, and migraine headaches. (Migraines, by the way, have a significant crossover with bipolar).

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Anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant slice of people with bipolar experience an almost-painful reaction to noise, especially during mood episodes—usually mania. When it comes to scientific proof, however, no one’s doing the research that would validate that connection.

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Here are coping suggestions from people who grapple with noise sensitivity, whether individuals or medical experts:

Be prepared. Do some problem-solving with your therapist and make a plan for the next time noise intrudes into your life.

Know your triggers. Once you understand what sets you off, you can do your best to avoid those situations or at least “mute” the effects. For example, use earplugs to eliminate unwanted noise, or earphones to listen to something you find more pleasant. (Something neutral like white noise or the sound of a waterfall may be especially helpful.)

Check your state of mind. When sounds are starting to bother you, analyze where you are mood-wise. Putting your noise intolerance into the context of symptomatic hypersensitivity may highlight the need for some overall self-care.

Consider the source. If someone, not something, is creating an intolerable noise, try to ask yourself if the person actually intends to aggravate you. Chances are, the answer is no. Remembering that may help keep you from overreacting.

Translation: I am human excrement, who is so wrapped up in my disregard for others that I do not care about the pain I am causing my child. You are clearly ‘coddled’, because I give you… what again?

why is it midnight and my brain goes 'whats that fucking noise' at every little thing??

Like, why does everything have to make a sound?!

I close a cupboard and it feels like a clap of thunder. I flick on a light switch and wince at how sharp it sounds. And don’t even get me started on the washing machine when it’s on the spin cycle—let’s just say I was hunkered down in a corner with my hands over my ears.