Yes, this started happening to me around 40.

Wait until you get older and can't hear. All will be peaceful again.

Background noise doesn't bother me, but the volume my DH listens to the TV and car radio drives me nuts. I feel like electronic things are shouting at me all the time. But I don't think he is playing things really, really loud. Really, really loud TV is when my or his parents come to visit.

Noise in restaurants. We just do take-out to avoid it.

Yes. And it really bothers me that DH and I cannot find a quiet place to enjoy a meal on the rare occasion that we get out. That really bugs me. Any recommendations of good, quiet places to enjoy a meal?

I wore foam earplugs in college in the library when I really needed to cram for a test.

I wore them raising children. I could be present. The ear plugs calmed me. Brought everything down a peg.

I don't wear them in stores, but I probably should. I always. aways notice the music being played. I'm probably more likely to like current music than pop songs from the 70's. When I consider the music to be real bad, it does influence my enjoyment of the store.

If it's a noticeable difference, you might consider going to an ENT specialist or an audiologist. A sensitivity to noise can be one of the first signs of hearing loss.

Loud people or leaf bowers send me over the edge

I have always been sensitive to too much noise. I hate it.