That's a very good point Savas! Anticipating the sound makes it much easier to take. My husband can't understand why when I tap the spoon on the side of the bowl its ok but when he does it, and I don't know he's about to do it, it's very painful and shocking.

It's not necessarily the noise itself but the ears and brain not anticipating the noise or having the chance to be prepared/brace for it. It like a heightened startle reflex too.

Thanks for reminding me of that!

CC

The two situations are not the same as noise at the store. A problem with PCS is a messed up and super sensitive startle response. When hubby makes the noise, it causes a startle. When she does it herself, she is expecting the sound and is not startled. It does not depend on the volume of the sound as much as the startle of the sound.

It is an anxiety issue. In my case, it can be called "adrenal cortical hyperfunction." Google it. It can cause a confusion of motor control. Startles while driving can be dangerous as they can cause a mixing of motor control, i.e. brake pedal vs gas pedal.

There are also non-startle sounds that are easier tolerated when the source is understood versus not understood. That odd noise from outside during a windstorm can be anxiety inducing. Going outside to discover what it is can end the anxiety because the brain can now reference the sound . The healthy brain wants to understand the various stimuli around us. Ours are even more sensitive to this need.

I have been in that same situation! I never thought of it as a panic attack but more of a 'my brain can't take this and I gotta get out NOW!'

i am happy to say that this gets better for me with time. I can endure much more noise now, and even some multiple types of noise. I have to be rested though.

I have talke to a lot of audiologists about the hyperacusis (damaged noise filter) and they say that gentle and very gradual exposure to noise (sound :) ) is the only way to address this. I have made an effort to put some happy sounds into my world, and have tried to change my emotional reaction to them. We need to live in a noisy world eventually, so doing it in a controlled manner is a good strategy. It seems to be working for me!

Hang in there. It does get better. Slowly. I need to hear from the longer term people the same thing, as I still get discouraged. But it does! VERY slowly. Baby steps. Steps backwards. But eventually forwards!