Noise intolerance, hyperacusis: totally stressed

[Kirsten]

When I was a child, after we were all in bed for the night, my mother would often sit and play the piano - maybe just to remind herself what the instrument was supposed to sound like! So I can fall asleep to music, even find that pleasant to do.

Yes, that might have a lot to do with it. I grew up in a small family, and it was always quiet in my room at night. When I still went to school, I could never have the radio or tv on while doing homework, I felt disturbed by it. When I moved out, I was 20, and I always lived on my own. Maybe that's why I'm just not used to it. I always hated it when I heard the neighbors making noise, even when I still lived in my old apartment. It was one of the reasons I moved.

I could never live in the suburbs, let alone the city, since I need my space and wouldn't have it there, and the noise and congestion would be more than I would care to deal with.

Congestion is another thing, and maybe it's making things worse. I'm actually a loner and I need my private space, and I hate the thought that other people are so close (even if I don't see them). Sometimes the very thought of it makes me feel claustrophobic. I think I'm actually not made for living in overcrowded areas. Maybe this is why I cannot stand other peoples' noise. I don't mind the sounds of nature; actually, I love them. Nothing more relaxing that listening to the wind, or the rain, or thunder...

The kids with those high pitched blood curdling screams are the worst.

I agree!! There is this one girl in my neighborhood; not only that she has a very high-pitched voice, she's screaming and squealing all the time. Makes my own vocal cords hurt just to listen to it! I was hoping her voice would get a little lower when she's older, but she's 9 years old by now, and her voice is still the same.

We were all kids once but I never remember screaming and carrying on like that. I dont remember any of my playmates like that either.

I didn't grow up like that, either! And we were never allowed to play outside that late!