Low, bass sounds affecting your mental and physical health?

In the last couple of years, I have become extremely sensitive to low, bass noise, and wonder if I have some type of hearing issue or if I'm losing my mind. The last two places I have lived I have had to "flee" due to uncontrolled bass noise causing me anxiety, insomnia and general waning physical health. I am about to flee for a third time! Perhaps this is more for the Hearing support group? I don't know anymore! This issue with deep bass sounds (music especially) has reared it's ugly head--BTW, I listen to many types of music, but cannot abide any with heavy bass. I become angry, extremely anxious and will lose my temper easily when it is occurring, finally resulting in depression. I can remove myself from the situation sometimes; however, it is coming from a neighbor's TV and I can't stay gone from home continually. Anyone else have a similar issue?

Hi there. This could be a form of misophonia, or it could be a form of hyperacusis (sound sensitivity with increased volume in thte sufferer's hearing system). It is hard to tell but it sounds more like misophonia. I am just another patient so check with a doctor first in case there is a medical issue.

Are the bass sounds louder for you than in the past? Do you have tinnitus? Hearing loss?

There are forums for all of these issues, both here on mayoclinicconnect and elsewhere.

I have developed noxacusis along with tinnitus. Noxacusis is hyperacusis with pain. My face becomes very painful and numb with certain noises (humming noises mainly, think leaf blower). I recently left a condo I had just bought due to a problem with humming from the neighbor's AC. You are not alone. Check out the hyperacusis forums and maybe misophonia as well.

Masking with your own noise can help. Ear plugs, ear muffs and noise cancelling headphones. Audiologists can do retraining if you have hyperacusis, slowly reintroducing sounds. For that or misophonia, CBT therapy can help, as can meds like Klonopin used judiciously. If you have hearing loss, hearing aids can actually help.

OMGosh! Thank you for the information. I will look into all! Bass sounds are definitely much louder than in the past. Additionally, really loud and gruff music and sounds are uncomfortable. I don't think I have tinnitus and I don't seem to have hearing loss, but have been wondering if I do and just don't realize it. You've given me much to look into and see light at the end of the tunnel!

When you go on forums, focus on the positive ones!