Anonymous wrote:I don't know why sensitivity to noise would indicate a disorder. Humans evolved outdoors. Living indoors makes everything louder. I bet most people who are sensitive to noise would not have this problem as much outside.

This is such an interesting take - I’ve never thought of it like this before but this 100% applies to me.

OP, I agree with the recommendation for the Loop earplugs. They have different levels of noise reduction. I bought the ones with the highest level without actually being earplugs, and was initially incredibly disappointed because I felt they didn’t do anything. But there are certain scenarios where just making all the whining and surrounding noise softer really does help.

Another thing I do that helps is to just put ONE wireless earphone in and play an upbeat playlist that makes you happy. I disagree with the audiobook recommendation; your loud family will drown out the audiobook and it will feel hellish trying to make out yet another extra voice. Background music is the way to go.

Anonymous wrote:I'm an early childhood teacher and I am super overstimulated by noise. Yeah. Not good.

Same. I looooooove my commute because it's the only time it's quiet. The older I get, the worse I feel. My dream job is to shelve books in a silent convent.

Me too, op. And while I love socializing, I’m ready to curl up in a fetal position as soon as I’m done with a night out with friends. When I was younger I would have weekly migraines because, I think, my family was so darn loud and scattered. My family now (husband and kids) are better than my family of origin in that sense. But yes the toddler years sometimes felt like torture for my senses. These days they’re middle school and everything is so much calmer.

I would go work with a therapist about coping strategies - this is not a dig at all- but it can really help - because it sounds like at the very least you have sensory processing issues and perhaps could be on the spectrum.

SPD. Noise canceling headphones.

Anonymous wrote:I also get overstimulated, but it’s less focused on sound than what you seem to be describing. Here are a few things that help me reset:

1. Darkness
2. A weighted blanket (I now have four different sizes, from a mini to one for my side of the bed)
3. Yoga/gentle stretching
4. Walking outdoors

I think I tend to be visually overstimulated, and the things that calm me down tend to involve a calm, predictable setting.

Good luck, OP.

+1 to all this. I’m introverted and often in situations that require me to be in busy/chaotic environments. The weighted blanket and darkness help me tremendously, and I also find repetitive, light physical activity soothing.