Sensitivity to Noises at Night

[all to gain]

I've noticed for the last few nights that when I hear a noise while I've been sleeping or trying to sleep it causes my whole body to shudder. It's like I've become very, very sensitive to sound at night. It could be something as little as the radiator making a slight noise. I almost jump when I hear it.

Anybody else get this? Is it simply anxiety? I actually slept well last night, but did have one or two instances of this.

I think I had a little hyperacusis for a while and hated being around the kettle or the dishwasher when plates were clanging, but those sounds don't seem to bother me anymore. Although I haven't put myself around many different sounds lately, so I may still have hyperacusis.

 

[Digital Doc]

Do you have tinnitus also? Is this from noise exposure?

I got sensitive to noise at night, but it would just wake me up. Have you tried earplugs to sleep, or a low volume white noise? I found that earplugs worked well for me, but the white noise made my tinnitus worse for the whole day after.

 

[all to gain]

Do you have tinnitus also? Is this from noise exposure?

I got sensitive to noise at night, but it would just wake me up. Have you tried earplugs to sleep, or a low volume white noise? I found that earplugs worked well for me, but the white noise made my tinnitus worse for the whole day after.

Yes, I have tinnitus as well. The initial onset wasn't from noise exposure, but it was worsened (I feel) by an MRI scan.
I have tried white noise, rain drops, but I find it very distracting, i.e. almost as bad as the tinnitus. Last night I didn't use white noise, so i was in my version of silence.

Wouldn't ear plugs make me more aware of the tinnitus, even more than having no white noise?

My Dad just came into the room and banged the door against a wooden desk. I shuddered and winced big time when i heard it. Probably just hyperacusis.

 

[Digital Doc]

Some folks like white noise at night. I find it annoying and keeps me from sleeping.

The earplugs are a little paradoxical, as initially when I put them in the T gets louder, but within a few mins later the volume of the T goes down by about half. I find it particularly helpful to sleep.

 

[all to gain]

Might give it a go.

 

[GoatSheep]

Some folks like white noise at night. I find it annoying and keeps me from sleeping.

The earplugs are a little paradoxical, as initially when I put them in the T gets louder, but within a few mins later the volume of the T goes down by about half. I find it particularly helpful to sleep.

That is paradoxical. I hate wearing ear plugs as it makes the sound feel like it's piercing my head and is more focused.

 

[Digital Doc]

Certainly paradoxical, but I view it as acoustic rest. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Fernando81]

Hello, I suffer the same ( sensitivity to noises but all day ). It is related to anxiety and extreme alert of our senses. My psychologist advised me to relax, unplugged my mind, exercise daily, stop stimulants and practice mindfulness. But it is not easy to manage, at least, in my case. I have Clonazepam, but momentarily choose not to use it. I prefer a glass or two of red wine at night, and that helps a little.

 

[Deniseh]

@all to gain

Just read your post. Are you still the same with your night time sensitivity?

I ask because I posted on a thread a few weeks back about more or less the same thing. When I first got tinnitus I had slight sensitivity, not too bad, this settled after a few months.

However over the last couple of months I have felt overly sensitive at night eg a door closes or someone flicks a light switch I feel as if my brain shivers (that's the only way I can describe it) and also in the morning I am sensitive to the loo flushing
It only happens for a short time the everything is back to normal.

I don't know the reason for this but put it down to auditory overload because of the quietness.

If anyone knows any other reason would love to hear it