Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Noise Sensitivity?
Question: I can be watching tv or concentrating on something, even if it is deep concentration, if I hear a particular noise - chewing, sniffing, slurping or if I see a repetitive action - jiggling or shaking of a foot or hand or leg, I feel aggression, anxious, upset.
Depending on the action or sound, depends how strong my reaction is.
If I'm feeling particularly sensitive to sound, more than normal or if there have been a lot of episodes during a day, even the sound of myself chewing disturbs me.
Depending on the action or sound, depends how strong my reaction is.
If I'm feeling particularly sensitive to sound, more than normal or if there have been a lot of episodes during a day, even the sound of myself chewing disturbs me.
Brief Answer:
the symptoms point to neurological problem;see a neurologist/ family doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thankyou for writing to health care magic!
I have read your query and can see that there are complaints of disturbed feeling to various sensory stimuli.
The problem like anger and irritation developing only upon some sound stimuli point directly towards neurological origin. Its is also very commonly associated to headache in migraine patients but you havent mentioned having headache.
There is also a hint that the feeling of irritation/anger goes away after the stimuli is removed. If you had been under my care I would have surely done your complete neurological examination and advised an MRI brain. I know it sounds slight disturbing but its important to rule out organicity in your case.
You can even discuss the above with your family doctor near your place.
Can you please answer me some questions as they would make the issue more clear-
1. Is there any recent history of head injury?
2. Or any recent history of some numbness in body or forgetfullness?
3. Or any kind of movement problem of any limbs?
4. Or recent sudden visual problems?
Its only that you are very young that its looking uncommon to develop any major neurological problem...but I think you should preffrably see a neurologist and get yourself examined.
P.S. - the symptoms developing on watching TV are also sign of neurological problem as the rays of tv cross through the eyes and enter brain and provide irrritable stimuli in sensitive individuals.
Hope the reply is useful for you.
Wish you good health and speedy recovery.
Please ask any more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
the symptoms point to neurological problem;see a neurologist/ family doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thankyou for writing to health care magic!
I have read your query and can see that there are complaints of disturbed feeling to various sensory stimuli.
The problem like anger and irritation developing only upon some sound stimuli point directly towards neurological origin. Its is also very commonly associated to headache in migraine patients but you havent mentioned having headache.
There is also a hint that the feeling of irritation/anger goes away after the stimuli is removed. If you had been under my care I would have surely done your complete neurological examination and advised an MRI brain. I know it sounds slight disturbing but its important to rule out organicity in your case.
You can even discuss the above with your family doctor near your place.
Can you please answer me some questions as they would make the issue more clear-
1. Is there any recent history of head injury?
2. Or any recent history of some numbness in body or forgetfullness?
3. Or any kind of movement problem of any limbs?
4. Or recent sudden visual problems?
Its only that you are very young that its looking uncommon to develop any major neurological problem...but I think you should preffrably see a neurologist and get yourself examined.
P.S. - the symptoms developing on watching TV are also sign of neurological problem as the rays of tv cross through the eyes and enter brain and provide irrritable stimuli in sensitive individuals.
Hope the reply is useful for you.
Wish you good health and speedy recovery.
Please ask any more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
No to question 1, 2, 3 & 4
I do not watch much television. That was just an example to have you understand that if there is a noise, as mentioned in my initial question, I can hear those sounds prominently over any other noise. I do not suffer headaches or migraines. I do have the odd one here or there if I am tired, rundown or under the weather.
A condition misophonia had been mentioned to me but I'm not familiar with this, the symptoms, diagnosis or treatment .
I do not watch much television. That was just an example to have you understand that if there is a noise, as mentioned in my initial question, I can hear those sounds prominently over any other noise. I do not suffer headaches or migraines. I do have the odd one here or there if I am tired, rundown or under the weather.
A condition misophonia had been mentioned to me but I'm not familiar with this, the symptoms, diagnosis or treatment .
Brief Answer:
please get ear examined & if normal plz see a neurologist. good luck!
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writiing back!
Your reply is more indicative of some neuronal problem and not otherwise. The point that you dont have any complaints of migraines rules it out completely...
Now, one more possibility could be-- an ear problem (though I would still keep it a second differential and the neurological issue at first)..you can get an ear examination done if that can be arranged easily..
If there is no ear complaint then its almost certain that you see a neurologist and get through workup done.
In any case I would suggest that you should not neglect this symptom.
Had I been treating you I would also advice you to go for serum Vit B12 & Vit D levels to rule out their defeciency. They are neuronal vitamins and can play a good role here.
Please discuss these points with your doctor and feel free to write back in case you need some more input from my side.
P.S. i dont think it to be mesophonia..
Wish you good health!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
please get ear examined & if normal plz see a neurologist. good luck!
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writiing back!
Your reply is more indicative of some neuronal problem and not otherwise. The point that you dont have any complaints of migraines rules it out completely...
Now, one more possibility could be-- an ear problem (though I would still keep it a second differential and the neurological issue at first)..you can get an ear examination done if that can be arranged easily..
If there is no ear complaint then its almost certain that you see a neurologist and get through workup done.
In any case I would suggest that you should not neglect this symptom.
Had I been treating you I would also advice you to go for serum Vit B12 & Vit D levels to rule out their defeciency. They are neuronal vitamins and can play a good role here.
Please discuss these points with your doctor and feel free to write back in case you need some more input from my side.
P.S. i dont think it to be mesophonia..
Wish you good health!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
