One of the things I really enjoy is being able to relate to other people regarding more unusual or seemingly odd quirks. A lot of times I will write about coping with the loss of a child or parent, adoption, being sensitive, but I also want to touch on some things about myself that are just plain weird, haha. I say “weird” affectionately because I will always ask the question – what IS normal anyway?
With that said, I thought I’d share some of my unusual sound issues in the event someone else deals with the same type of things.
For starters, there are the things like repetitive tapping or clicking that will completely unnerve me at times. Usually if I am trying to work or concentrate in any way these type things have to be addressed, or I will have to change my location. Even the leg bouncing that makes a soft, but noticeable to me, sounds during a meeting or the incessant throat clearing or super-gross thing some people do where they suck their snot inward and do nothing with it but gross me all-the-way out—these are all issues I deal with. When I say they are bothersome, I don’t just mean I am bothered. I mean I am unable to tolerate them in a way that makes me want to throw a toddler-style fit.
Then there is Styrofoam. OMG. Just writing the word makes my skin crawl a little. The sound of Styrofoam rubbing against just about anything will cause a chill to run up my spine and then all over my body. I will literally shutter. It’s more when something is packaged in it, and you have to remove it first from the box itself then you have to take the item out of the actual Styrofoam. Just shoot me. Styrofoam coolers? You just better have something good in there for me is all I have to say on that one. Styrofoam cups – same rule applies. I just do not trust it, and it will even make my own skin crawl if my nail rubs the cup wrong or it makes a sound when putting it into a cup holder. Weird? Maybe. True? Unfortunately.
High-pitched voices and ridiculously loud and obnoxious laughter. I almost can’t even hide my disdain for these things. These usually get me when I am in a restaurant – even if it’s one where the noise level is higher anyways (Mexican restaurants or sports bar type places). If I can hear your particular voice over the crowd – I will pretty much ONLY hear your voice. That drives me up the wall. I realize some may not be able to help the tone of their voice, but that volume….whew. Just make it stop or take it outside or something.
Napkins. I loathe the sound of paper napkins rubbing against each other – the same sort of thing applies with paper towels. I have no idea why, but just thinking about someone – especially with those cheap, scratchy kind of napkins, rubbing them together makes me feel uncomfortable already. If it’s an option, I find myself just offering to throw them away for them so I can make it stop.
Metal scratching on pretty much anything that makes that sound similar to nails on a chalkboard (also an awful sound, but most agree with that one.) If someone, including myself, accidently slides a knife against a plate….I am not lying when I say I feel that down to my toes. I wish I didn’t. I realize it sounds dramatic, but it is what it is.
I may even be forgetting some, but these are the ones that come to mind immediately when I think about sound aversions. I do realize it’s very possible I am somewhere on the spectrum (and I say that whole-heartedly and with no offense intended.) Nonetheless, I can’t make these sounds go away and try as I may to not be bothered, I am. It’s not you, it’s definitely me.
Another thing to mention is that I often hear talking or music when a hair dryer is on, a bathroom fan, an outside industrial type of fan or even white noise machines. Sure, I have absolutely considered that I may be “hearing voices,” haha, but I’ve been to a few doctors over the years and even as crazy as I may be, I am not delusional. I’m weird…but not completely out-there, ya know?
Lastly, I constantly misunderstand people. It’s not really that I can’t hear well, it’s that what I hear and what is said do not match up. It’s almost always interpreted as me not paying attention — which is deflating and SO frustrating. You should ask my husband and kids – they can ask me what’s for dinner and I hear, “ducks in the center,” or even further off base than that. This happens every day. I want to listen, and I care what people have to say (usually), but if you have been around me any amount of time you know I really need things written down. Email me, text me or even jot it down and hand it to me – but if you depend on me to hear – accurately – what you said…I cannot guarantee it and I have no idea why.
Do these things happen to anyone else? Let me know your experiences whether your own or someone you are close to. Surely there are some fellow Styrofoam hating, tapping intolerant, undiagnosed auditory processing disorder folks that can relate. Let’s hear it and take solace in knowing there are people out there that “get it!”