Not Broken - Just Noise‑Sensitive
Learning to support myself in a world that's too loud
Most people don’t realise that places meant for fun can feel like an assault to some of us. But they can.
Let me explain…
A while back, we took the boys out for tea (that’s dinner, for those not familiar with the term). Then we decided to go and play some pool together.
Walking through the doors of the bowling‑alley/arcade I looked around.
I saw happy faces. People chatting, playing, having fun.
My boys’ faces lit up as they took in the atmosphere. The music. The lights. The games.
Me?
I felt physically attacked.
The noise from the slot machines. The air‑hockey pinging against the sides. The closing of the punch‑bag thingy (you know – where young lads try to impress each other by smashing a hanging ball as hard as they can).
My whole nervous system went into overdrive.
I tried so hard not to cry. Not to cover my ears. Not to run away.
So, I walked back to the car...
Pulled earplugs from my handbag. And I went back in.
This time, the sounds were still loud – but they were muffled. Softer. Safer.
This time my nervous system didn’t respond in the same way.
I found my boys and we had a great evening together. Laughing. Joking. Messing around.
For a long time, I believed something was massively wrong with me.
But now I know – I’m just noise sensitive.11
And that’s ok. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
It just means I need to figure out how to live in a world overloaded with sound.
That’s where my earplugs come in.
Arcade halls, shopping centres, cinemas, theatres, concerts, parties, football matches, supermarkets... these places used to drain me (ok they still do, just not as much).
Looking back, I wish I’d bought earplugs years ago. But I didn’t. Why?
They were marketed as “for autism” – and I thought they weren’t for me.
I worried what people would think. Maybe I’m just making it up? Maybe I’m over–reacting? Maybe it’s all in my head? – My own overthinking got in the way.
When I finally realised I was neurodivergent – I got earplugs.
Life‑changing is an understatement.
I really do wish I’d bought them sooner.
And I’m angry at myself for not doing so.
For doubting my own experiences. For letting others’ opinions hold me back
And sad for all the moments I lost because I didn’t know how to support myself.
I want to go back and hug my younger self. To tell her You’re not broken. You’re not crazy. That world is noisy. It’s not all in your head. There are things that help.
Thankfully I no longer give a flying fuck what others think. My experience is my experience.
When I say it’s too loud and someone insists it’s not – it’s them who’s wrong, not me. It is too loud... for me.
My experience may not be someone else’s...
But it’s valid. It’s real. And it matters.
I’m relieved to finally know how to support myself when the world gets too noisy. But I also know there are so many others out there still struggling.
So if you’re someone who ‘feels’ differently... trust yourself.
You’re not imagining it. You’re not over–reacting. You’re not broken.
Just because someone else doesn’t hear it the same doesn’t mean it’s not there.
And if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by sound, grab earplugs. Try them. Even if you don’t think they’re ‘for you’.
Because your experience is valid. And you deserve to have fun – without feeling assaulted by noise.
Oh, me too. Draining isn't it? Love having my noise cancelling headphones now!