Do you sometimes suddenly feel that you absolutely have to leave the room for a few? Maybe you step outside for a bit, or you find a room to hide out in for some peace and quiet. Others may have a tendency to zone out: they kind of disassociate themselves from their environment and retreat inwards. Sound familiar?

You may suffer from Phonophobia. It simply means an intolerance or hypersensitivity to sound, or a fear of loud noises.  It’s one of the most common symptoms experienced by migraine sufferers. Certain noises can cause extreme discomfort while migraines are building up and during attacks.

Did you turn down the last invitation for happy hour with colleagues or your friend’s birthday party? Don’t blame it on antisocial tendencies. A lot of people just can’t deal with being in a crowded situation with people who love to raise their voices. 

Some people are fine with a lot of background noise when they’re working, while others can’t stand it.

If you feel like you can’t concentrate on your work or lose your focus in busy or loud environments, it could be that you’re sensitive to loud noises.

Are you someone who’s headphones are just about fused to your head? Whether you’re at work, the supermarket, or walking down the street? 

If you feel the need to filter out sound one way or another, guess what: it could be noise sensitivity.

The good news is that you can help reduce noise without shutting out the world. Loop earplugs don’t block noise, instead filtering a bit to decrease the intensity without putting you in a sound-proof bubble.