Just sharing my experience I first noticed over two years ago. Barely suffer it now, just wondering if anyone has experienced it.
I used to suffer from anger issues and anxiety (feeling panicked) always on the way to work in the mornings. Over time I realised my symptoms were worse when I played loud music in the car. I know really strange right but I experimented over a month. If I didn't play any music I was fine or very little symptoms. But as soon as the music was on it gradually got worse to the point I had to park up until I felt normal again. My journey's are aprrox one hour long.
Anyone out there experienced anything like this??
Please share... Thank you
Written by
MrTHG
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Definitely! I get stressed and anxious when there’s loud music playing. It’s caused many tiffs between me and my husband because, when we have guests coming for dinner, he insists on having fairly loud music playing when they arrive ‘for atmosphere.’ I have to turn it down so I can concentrate on what people are saying. 😂
And if I’m driving, I have to have soft, relaxing music. There is definitely something about loud music that gets me revved up and anxious.
I have seen first hand how music therapy can effect lives & it’s no surprise that mood & music are intertwined, I listen to Louise Hay when I’m stressed she is a positivity powerhouse
I order frequently from Louise Hay's Publishing Company. One of my favorite authors she has represented for years (now deceased) is Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Music taste is such a personal thing that for me hearing music I don't care is very difficult and stressful.
Don't want to offend but I really don't like Country and Western. (Very un-American of me, I know.)
Once when visiting Nashville Tennessee we went to a beautiful upscale Chinese Restaurant. The background music was C & W-which if you've ever been to Nashville is played Everywhere.
For me what was a lovely meal was spoiled by having to listen to the loud,raucous, twangy music. Everyone else was fine with it-just tuned it out.
There's a definite connection, but I couldn't say what it is. I can't bear music in the car anymore. What's more, I used to be always singing. I never sing these days - partly because my voice has suffered so much, but mainly because I no-longer feel the inclination. I have two granddaughters who are always singing - which it lovely, really - but it drives me nuts! I just prefer silence, these days.
Do you think greygoose that it could be from hypo/hyper symptom ? It's very interesting . I never made the connection up until this great post and reading that other wonderful members where also experiencing the same as myself .
I think it's a hypo symptom - although not one that I've ever seen mentioned before. But, I did have a similar discussion with someone on another forum. She blamed her ex for spoiling music for her, I said I thought it was more likely to be due to her hypothyroidism, rather than him, because I felt the same.
And I thought it was me! My neighbou's son plays the drums and electric guitar, loudly and badly and I have no escape. I'm often on high alert because there's no set time. I feel like I'm going to explode/implode when it happens. They also keep 2 cockerels about 20 metres from my bedroom, which wake me most nights. The neighbour to my right also has 2 cockerels, which although are quiet at night crow and crow during the day. On top of that the next neighbour to my left has a small holding and they have at least 12/13 cockerels which hardly ever shut up...I'm mostly housebound now and I feel it's contributing to my declining health. I've spoken to them often, they've seen me distraught, I've written polite letters, but nothing. Both of my 'close' neighbous have very long gardens so they could move them much further away. It's 05.38 as I type, and I'm in bed, wearing earplugs and I can hear the smalldong cockerels wailing. And of course being in my lovely garden is sometimes soul destroying due to the almost constant crowing. And to top it off, they stable their 2 ponies even closer to my bedroom than the cockerels so all the early morning chores disturb me, as early as 04.00 if they're going to a show. I understand what you're all saying/feeling - thank you for the opportunity to vent my despair and anger... and a big YES, I too loved this post.
That’s a lot to deal with, noise cancelling headphones really work bose & sony are great, contact your council they should have a noise policy or contact your MP
Thank you, I will look into the headphones, and although I've spoken to the council, I am concerned about retribution from one of my neighbours who can be intimidating. I'd also considered contacting a member of the council, but my MP, yes, sounds much better. I do appreciate your suggestions...
WOW!! your noise problems sound as if they are not connected to any thyroid problem at all but is straight forward statutory nuisance behaviour. if you have to sleep with ear plugs you should make a complaint to your local environmental health department. im sure that they will assess the noise from your neighbour as a statutory nuisance and serve an Abatement Notice on them to reduce the noise.
When I was severely hypothyroid I couldn’t bear music at all. It was as if I didn’t have the energy to cope with it, it was too noisy and distracting. Now I’m much better, I listen to music and sing along in the car and shower again (I do a good rendition of Fly Me To The Moon with Frank Sinatra and I enjoy being one of the backing vocalists to Miss Grace by The Tymes!) I see it as a welcome return to health and life.
Who knows - maybe undermedication could be indicated by music tolerance! It would certainly be a better measure than TSH! 🤸🏿♀️🥛
It was traffic noise with me used to drive me crazy prior to diagnosis and treatment. I understand one can becone more sensitive to noise as a symptom of hypothyroidism. I had the same with smells and bright light too. I used to love music but I rarely listen to any now and loud stuff can really irritate me even now.
I’ve been noise sensitive on and off for about 25 years; particularly when I’m tired or stressed. But when I started to get really sick with Hashi in 2014 I was living in Hong Kong and the noise pollution there is on another level and would drive me crazy, so I do believe it is related to being hypo. I still cannot have the TV too loud or be around shouty people but I’m much better now I’m properly medicated. It’s more the tinnitus which drives me crazy these days.
Oh my goodness. I thought it was just me being an irrational horror. I can’t bear loud music and have to turn radio off in car at one particular horrid road junction. Daughter just huffs as it’s usually her music I’m turning off!!
Don't you just love pulling up at a red light and the car next to you is blasting their radio with music so loud the car is vibrating?. Happens frequently here in Atlanta.
Makes a case for the NRA!!
Definitely noticed it when working with adults with challenging behaviour. Problem was when someone had the choice of what they did and type of music they played but we could see it had an adverse effect. Could only try diversion then.
And I can't bear trying to speak with someone if there's loud music playing.
Wow, I'm surprised so many have the same problem. I prefer peace and quiet since being hypo and my son has his friends round, though usually only one at a time now. He has one friend who shouts as opposed to talking and by the time he is due to leave, I'm desperate for him to go. I can't bear music anymore to be too loud and in the car my son turns the music up and I turn it down! Interesting post and good to know others have similar experience.
This is really wierd as I went into a pret, the other day and had to leave because of the music. And then again in another cafe, it's been really noticeable in the last week. It might just because I'm now boring but the effect was of extreme irritation, I really had to leave.
Hi there - yes and know what it is ...............having experienced every symptoms known to the human body glad I can help - it is an adrenal gland issue. See this:-
I am not recommending any of the links listed just the document itself - also be careful with Epsom salt baths - they can cause an adrenal crash in those who are very very low in adrenal hormones.
See this: " Doses less than 350 mg daily are safe for most adults. When taken in very large amounts, magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large doses might cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing serious side effects including an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, and coma " Hence why I urge caution in taking at night - depends how well you are medicated for thyroid hormone etc. - although I know it is used for sleep issues - I have done it myself - just be aware of your symptoms if when taking it you feel too lethargic and relaxed as blood pressure or respiratory system can drop down.
I was so low in thyroid/adrenal hormones I found it an effort to talk I would be exhausted after a long conversation or indeed a heated argument. Intimacy causes the same - the adrenal glands are implicated here to - how do I know this - well - late one evening about 10 years ago - my husband shouted to me that the Endocrinologist I was seeing at a well known London Hospital won't mention any names - was on TV conducting an experiment and to come and watch - needless to say it wasn't what I expected I was horrified that a so called respected member of the NHS could be involved in such a programme on a mainstream channel (I think it was Channel 4) and next time I saw him he looked like he had been embarrassed by it as I deliberately mentioned it to him. Any way how can I put this - he proved that the adrenal glands are implicated in intimacy as he took blood samples and did other tests after the event shall we say.
Well at least we now know that I suppose - what use that is the medical profession I don't know................
Heightened sensory sensitivity to loud music, bright lights, strong odours, and touch indicate adrenal stress. I found adaptogenic herb ashwagandha to be useful. Craving salt or sugar are other key indicators that your adrenals are out of balance. I also use ReMag, ReMyte and ReAlign ( Botanicahealth) which has helped enormously in that I’m not reaching for my sunglasses immediately I step outside.
I have said many times that I prefer silence a lot of the time. I have also tried to encourage myself to sing or play music but still don’t do this very often. Maybe there is a link between this and Thyroid illness
I have always hated loud noises, especially music such as heavy metal or even something like Wagner's "The Ring". There seems something very dark about his music, perhaps the reason Hitler so admired him. However, I haven't noticed it getting any worse since being hypothyroid. If I can't escape it I put my fingers in my ears, which helps a bit, though it looks odd.
I have read somewhere that there is evidence that it actually affects brain and behaviour and can make a person more aggressive etc. The link with adrenals might well have something to do with it also.
For me being sensitive to loud sound feels similar to sensitivity to bright light, and if I'm a bit tired out will immediately cause pain in my head (I don't say headache, because it reduces straight away once the sound is lowered).
I consider the difficulty listening to talking or concentrating with music playing to be slightly different, although maybe it's the same thing. To me it feels like when we're hypo our brains are slowed down and can only process a limited amount in the environment in one go.
I remember noticing this when I was very very hypo straight after my TT. I was taken to a restaurant and I couldn't experience any of the ambience or enjoyment you'd expect; all my attention was taken up with sitting up in my chair, reading the menu and struggling to make a decision at the same time.
Yes, I am like that. I started a job once that I had to succeed in since I had moved house hundreds of miles for the job. I knew I could do the job but they were piping music into the offices and I just could not concentrate. I did not want to complain because I was new and very grateful to have been accepted at this company. I remember being brought to tears often because I just couldn't think, all I could here was the music. I used to take my work home at night to get it done then present my results the following day.
Totally agree with you SilverAvocado . After my TT It seamed to me that my sensitivities to loud noises /music was so much more amplified . What I used to enjoy no longer gave me joy rather it gave me irritable feelings . I always wondered why ?
Me too... specific sounds cause me to loose the ability to process instructions.
I saw a tv program years ago where they introduced a “magnetic field” to disrupt speech and thus show how folk experience inability for speech after a stroke in that area. It’s the only way i can explain the loss of normal function with noise overload (music/radio/family talking & me trying cook something easy) I usually explode demanding silence... which is met with a confused family who haven’t got a clue.
What an interesting topic and one I think can help us no matter what forum we join.
I'll share some personality-type information that has helped me over time.
If you are interested, read on. If you think it's hogwash, just move on. There are several different and valid personality tests in use worldwide-some more valid than others- that are used-some professionally, some for fun.
Meyers-Briggs is a combination of 16 different personality types created by an American mother-daughter team in the first half of the last century who developed a personalty inventory to help people understand basic differences in all of us and why we are the way we are. There are quite a number of psychologists that think this test has validity. You decide if it helps you.
There are no types better or worse than the others. However, there are strengths and weaknesses we all have re our basic type which leaves room for improvement for us all.
There has also been some research as to our brains being wired in certain ways from birth that give us our differences in the way individuals interpret and react to circumstances. We all do come off the assembly line with our own unique characteristics.
These types are not the be all or end all in evaluating ourselves but for me, when I figured out my personality type, I was able to understand why I thought and reacted to many circumstances the way I do. It helped me see myself as 'normal' and not flawed just because I thought differently than others.
I believe growing up, we struggle developing good self-esteem when adults (parents, teachers,etc) make comments like 'you're too sensitive, get over it' etc.; when they dismiss our differences. This also gives credence why children in the same family can be so different.
The two things I have learned about myself late in life that help enormously is:
1) I am introverted-do not like or do well around loud noises; like 1 to 1 in depth conversations rather than small talk at large parties. I also do well when, after enjoying social time with a lot of people, I need a lot of 'alone time' to mentally recharge my batteries. My sister is the opposite-large gatherings, frequently. We are both fine the way we are-just have to respect our differences. And
2) The decisions I make for myself in life usually turn out much better when I finally go with my first gut feeling as opposed to using too much logic and overthinking. We can still take time to think about pros and cons but usually I go with my first inclination.
Regarding music, noise, etc it can be a problem when our spouse, etc differs.
I only turn on the TV when I want to watch something specific. My sister likes to fall asleep with it on and my friend like sports games playing in the background even if he is not watching. Both approaches make me want to shoot the tv.
Taking these self-tests found on youtube (google Meyers-Briggs Personalty Inventory (MBPI) tests) and get to know yourself (and those close to you) a little better). It's not rocket science or a way to make needed psychological changes. But you may get a better handle on what makes us all tick and help us understand each other a little better.
irina 🐱
in reply to
PS. Re-reading the above posts and seeing how similar those of us that have thyroid problems are in some ways makes me wonder if our personality traits we grow up with might predispose us to certain illnesses.
When I was first had my TT and I was searching around books and the internet for other people's experiences one of the things I saw a lot was people saying their personality had changed.
I never felt that mine had, because I felt like I was the same essential person inside. But I slowly realised what people meant. Lots of the changes that happen to us could be described as personality, being more cautious, more quiet, averse to arguments or conflict, preferring to stay at home or do sitting down activities, whereas maybe before the illness we were out rock climbing or in high powered jobs, less organised, less able to make the extra effort with things, maybe like our appearance, hobbies, even affection to loved ones.
I agree. The things I mentioned above that I learned about myself only emerged as I became a senior.
Maybe when we're young, things don't bother us as much and 'eccentricites' only emerge as we get older.
Or maybe one of the perks of old age is that we can be grumpy and annoyed at things we had to ignore as children and polite young adults. LOL-but not really.
It's amazing how the right music can calm me down. I often play my computer playlists with earphones at home when others are doing noisy things-especially listening to the evening news with local news about murders,etc. and crazy political stories.
Since the 90's it's common to have music available in operating rooms in the US.
But before this came about I once had to have some minor surgery on my hand.
The anesthetic was to be a block just from my upper arm down.
The anesthesiologist who was a cut above as a person and a doctor. (And also a Holocaust survivor-I saw the numbers on his arm) came in with his own portable recorder and an assortment of tapes.
He asked me what type music I liked; I said classical, and before he even started getting things ready for my sedation he put headphones on me and I began listening to Tchaikovsky.
The whole experience was actually so pleasant I wasn't nervous, didn't need sedation-just the block- and before I knew it the procedure was over and I was so relaxed. This man was clearly ahead of his time.
I love music with every fibre of my being, but sometimes I really need silence and stillness. Thank you for posting this and for all the comments. It helps to know others experience this. Commiseration is an important feature of this forum.
Sorry, due to having been bonked on the head, I've lost the attention span necessary to have absorbed everyone's posts, but here's what I found that seems to draw a dotted line from hypothyroidism to endolymphatic hydrops.
It seems to me that, if hypothyroidism is bollixing up every regulatory action of the body, it would be quite plausible for it to have impact on noise tolerance and other functions of the vestibular/auditory system.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Starting on Thyroid-S
thyroid hormones and beta blockers 
Strange breathing. Thyroid related?
Hot flushes on and off on thyroid-s 
Sharp chest pains that come and go - connected to thyroid?
