I've noticed over the past couple of years that my sense of hearing has gotten much more sensitive - especially to loud or shrill noises.

Pre-MS even the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard didn't phase me. Now, even the vacuum cleaner is too much some days.

My neighbor has a Mustang GT and he starts it everyday about 3 PM before he leaves for work. He lets it idle out in the driveway for a few minutes. That low growl it makes drives me batty. I have to stay away from that side of the house until he leaves. Sounds like that never bothered me before.

I went out to dinner with my boys the night before last and they were getting ready for a large party and were pushing tables together and moving chairs. The sound of the chairs being dragged across the floor was almost too much. I had to put my elbows on the table and put my fingers in my ears until they finished!!

I was in Publix and the alarm on the chicken fryer in the deli went off (just a high pitched beep) and I had to walk over to the other side of the store to get away from it. I actually got dizzy from this noise!!

Seems like everyday there is a new noise I cannot tolerate. Guess I should invest in some earplugs. Maybe I'll just lift the ones they give me for the MRI machine next time I go for one!!! Funny thing is.....all that banging and clanging the MRI machine makes doesn't really bother me!!