this one made me giggle a bit – in particular the “chewing” one. now and then, especially at dinner, if we are eating in silence and there is no music on, the sound of my family eating becomes very overwhelmingly loud. anyway – relating to these “ordinary sounds” and their effect now and then…
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1. Alarms
Alarms of any kind tend to set me off, but the absolute worst are smoke and house alarms. Even the little chirping sound when the battery is getting low can be too much, never mind a full-on alarm.
2. Phone notifications
Whether or not the volume is on high, phone or computer notifications are unpleasant for me. When I’m engrossed in something, the last thing I want is another stimulus! I’ve known a lot of highly sensitive people — introverted or not — who get jumpy and overly stressed when their phone or somebody else’s goes off. Let’s focus, people!
3. Wind
Many people enjoy driving convertibles. After all, it sounds very romantic to have sunshine on your face and wind wafting through your hair. But not if you’re a highly sensitive person! Personally, I don’t enjoy anything touching my sensitive ears at all.
Similarly, there is a particular howling sound that a car makes when just one window is cracked open, and for me, it can be agonizing, although others may not notice it at all.
Wind rattling a door or window is also likely to conjure up images of Amityville Horror or The Birds, along with an intense emotional response. As a result, HSPs might feel like they are part of a horror film!
4. Radio
Like many HSPs, I connect with and enjoy music immensely. However, add music or talk radio in the background when working, driving, or anything else that requires my attention, and suddenly it becomes the biggest annoyance of my day.
5. Chewing
HSPs often notice people chewing — chewing gum, chewing food, chewing anything. Their sensitive ears tune into each bite, each movement of the jaw, and each tear and lip smack. What seems like an ordinary biological action can be physically painful for me to hear and sometimes emotionally triggering as well.
6. Tapping
Tap, tap, tap! Whether it’s a pen hitting a desk or a foot brushing the floor, the sound is equally distracting for me, as I have a hard time blocking out this noise.
7. Background chatter
In addition to the stress of large crowds, if you’re an HSP, you might be very sensitive to background noise at a party, at work, or at a restaurant. While others feel energy from the sounds of activity, I often feel like I’m drowning in them!
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