Re: Public Website: About Page

[Guest guest]

Thank you all so much for your input, please everyone keep it coming.This one is one of the big ones so every input helps , no matter how smallSent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3Sender: Soundsensitivity Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:08:57 -0000To: <Soundsensitivity >ReplyTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page Agreed about the sadness thing. Sadness I find is an indirect result of it, while ire, panic, and helplessness/hopelessness are what I feel as direct results of hearing the sounds (these are what I feel when I'm hearing the sound at the time).Definitely include whistling as a main trigger sound!> > > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be " parent or child " .> > > > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this, because we do vary a little in responses.> > >>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My triggers the spoken letter " S " by a female voice, the constant hum of

machinery(in my case, the ventilation system in the building next to my

apartment), music leaking out of someone's headphones, shoes sounds, for example

flip flops or high heels. These are my top triggers.

It's interesting to me that I don't have the eating trigger that so many others

have.

Best regards to all,

Elaine

> > >

> > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be

" parent or child " .

> > > >

> > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger

sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the

type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I

can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people

because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly

distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this,

because we do vary a little in responses.

> > > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My triggers the spoken letter " S " by a female voice, the constant hum of

machinery(in my case, the ventilation system in the building next to my

apartment), music leaking out of someone's headphones, shoes sounds, for example

flip flops or high heels. These are my top triggers.

It's interesting to me that I don't have the eating trigger that so many others

have.

Best regards to all,

Elaine

> > >

> > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be

" parent or child " .

> > > >

> > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger

sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the

type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I

can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people

because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly

distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this,

because we do vary a little in responses.

> > > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I DO feel sadness~~sadness that other humans out there DO NOT yet realize how

much their leaf blowers, gum popping, dogs barking, cars idling, etc. etc.,

bother others and bring out all kinds of horrible emotions for them. That to me

is the sad part. That these folks who could potentially be my friends and

welcomed peers are so blind to their actions.

Katia

> > > >

> > > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be

" parent or child " .

> > > > >

> > > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger

sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the

type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I

can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people

because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly

distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this,

because we do vary a little in responses.

> > > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I DO feel sadness~~sadness that other humans out there DO NOT yet realize how

much their leaf blowers, gum popping, dogs barking, cars idling, etc. etc.,

bother others and bring out all kinds of horrible emotions for them. That to me

is the sad part. That these folks who could potentially be my friends and

welcomed peers are so blind to their actions.

Katia

> > > >

> > > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be

" parent or child " .

> > > > >

> > > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger

sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the

type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I

can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people

because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly

distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this,

because we do vary a little in responses.

> > > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I DO feel sadness~~sadness that other humans out there DO NOT yet realize how

much their leaf blowers, gum popping, dogs barking, cars idling, etc. etc.,

bother others and bring out all kinds of horrible emotions for them. That to me

is the sad part. That these folks who could potentially be my friends and

welcomed peers are so blind to their actions.

Katia

> > > >

> > > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be

" parent or child " .

> > > > >

> > > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger

sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the

type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I

can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people

because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly

distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this,

because we do vary a little in responses.

> > > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Before my young nephew became the budding wordsmith he is today, he used the word "sad" to describe all kinds of negative mood states that didn't quite fit for him under the word "mad". I assumed when reading that sadness was a response to 4s

triggers, that it pertained to young children with 4s who may just SOB out of

frustration in response to being uncomfortable, as children so often do.To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Sat, January 22, 2011 7:08:57 AMSubject: Re: Public Website: About Page

Agreed about the sadness thing. Sadness I find is an indirect result of it, while ire, panic, and helplessness/hopelessness are what I feel as direct results of hearing the sounds (these are what I feel when I'm hearing the sound at the time).

Definitely include whistling as a main trigger sound!

> >

> > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph "parent of child" should be "parent or child".

> > >

> > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly distressed than "sad", wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this, because we do vary a little in responses.

> > >

>

[Guest guest]

Well that's why we are attempting to raise public awareness of this condition, to reduce that, that's what the website is all about. we just have to be careful how we come across to the general public, as many on here will already know.... It can be taken....in the wrong light.Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3Sender: Soundsensitivity Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:37:07 -0000To: <Soundsensitivity >ReplyTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page I DO feel sadness~~sadness that other humans out there DO NOT yet realize how much their leaf blowers, gum popping, dogs barking, cars idling, etc. etc., bother others and bring out all kinds of horrible emotions for them. That to me is the sad part. That these folks who could potentially be my friends and welcomed peers are so blind to their actions.Katia> > > > > > > > > One typo I noticed: in the last paragraph " parent of child " should be " parent or child " .> > > > > > > > > > I am not sure why sadness is mentioned as a common response to trigger sounds. I always imagine sadness as a gentle, if negative, mood rather than the type of highly aroused, fight-or-flight reaction we have to trigger sounds. I can imagine someone feeling sad later on that they cannot mix with other people because of triggers, but the immediate reaction would be far more highly distressed than " sad " , wouldn't it? Others might need to comment about this, because we do vary a little in responses.> > > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Sounds good, ill write something up and post to this group for review thanks everyone for your input. Ill have something up by fridaySent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3Sender: Soundsensitivity Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:22:34 -0000To: <Soundsensitivity >ReplyTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page I agree with this comment. The term " sensitivity " , along with " hyposensitivity " and " hypersensitivity " , are the standard terms in the professional literature for describing the kind of symptoms we have. It would be good to use the same terms as everyone else.For example:https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Sensory_processing_disorder#Hyposensitivities_and_hypersensitivities--- In Soundsensitivity , " W " wrote:>> Instead of 'hyper-sensibility,' would 'hyper-sensitivity work better?> Your definitions are great.> (lurking regularly but not posting often. It's my 16 yr old son who's 4S)

[Guest guest]

Oops! Hyper-sensibility was a typo. Yes, it should be hyper-sensitivity (or

unhyphenated if that is the standard).

Does being hypersensitive make us hyper-sensible too?

> >

> > Instead of 'hyper-sensibility,' would 'hyper-sensitivity work better?

> > Your definitions are great.

> > (lurking regularly but not posting often. It's my 16 yr old son who's

4S)

>

[Guest guest]

Oops! Hyper-sensibility was a typo. Yes, it should be hyper-sensitivity (or

unhyphenated if that is the standard).

Does being hypersensitive make us hyper-sensible too?

> >

> > Instead of 'hyper-sensibility,' would 'hyper-sensitivity work better?

> > Your definitions are great.

> > (lurking regularly but not posting often. It's my 16 yr old son who's

4S)

>

[Guest guest]

Oops! Hyper-sensibility was a typo. Yes, it should be hyper-sensitivity (or

unhyphenated if that is the standard).

Does being hypersensitive make us hyper-sensible too?

> >

> > Instead of 'hyper-sensibility,' would 'hyper-sensitivity work better?

> > Your definitions are great.

> > (lurking regularly but not posting often. It's my 16 yr old son who's

4S)

>

[Guest guest]

Of course!

Although, just as some people can fluctuate between hypersensitivity and

hyposensitivity, I can fluctuate between hyper-sensible and hypo-sensible.

>

> Does being hypersensitive make us hyper-sensible too?

>

[Guest guest]

Of course!

Although, just as some people can fluctuate between hypersensitivity and

hyposensitivity, I can fluctuate between hyper-sensible and hypo-sensible.

>

> Does being hypersensitive make us hyper-sensible too?

>

[Guest guest]

Katia My son has *all* of those as triggers also! I can also add car doors slamming, clocks ticking, floor creaking, balls bouncing in the neighbor's driveway, and the low frequency/vibration noise through the walls from jets taxiing and taking off from the nearby airport (coincidently discussed in the recently posted link/article on noise/health). ChrisFrom: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ] On Behalf Of SkySent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 12:46 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page None of the "primary trigger sounds" you list below are related to my condition. Gum POPPING is the only one in that entire paragraph. My worst ones are dogs barking, back up beepers, leaf blowers, puppies whimpering, gum popping, cars idling, TV or radio on to talk shows (I love hearing music), refrigerator noises, air conditioner noise, habitual noises sometimes people make clearing their throats, to list a few.Katia> >> > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > > > Public Website: About Page> > > >  > > Hi All,> >  > > I’m planning on working on the “about†page over the weekend and would like to > > know what you think should be said.> >  > > How would you define 4s?> >  > > How does it make you feel?> >  > > Rich> >>

[Guest guest]

I organized some of the information into a spreadsheet.

It is attached here.

Please continue to add information.

How is 4S defined?

Resulting Impact to Quality of Life:

Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S) is a hyper-sensibility to particular everyday sounds that most people are able to ignore.

There seems to be an inability to "block out" these stumuli.

Feeling out of control

Most people wouold not notice these triggers unless pointed out. The typical response is "ignore them, or get over it" yet the 4S sufferer seems to lack the ability to do either.

Feel defective or weird or labeled as outcast

The sounds provoke a strong negative reaction in the person with 4S.

It affects the type of job chosen becuase of the environment that will be encountered

Emotional and physiological responses include anger, rage, frustration, sadness, sense of danger and the urge to flee.

It impacts social situations. Many will avoid going to events that may cause a trigger response

The feeling is similar to that of someone scratching their fingernails down a chalkboard, a "bone chilling" or "exposed nerve" type of response

Examples: group meetings, church, going to the theater, attending a play, childrens function at school, playing in the yard where you hear a dog barking, etc.

Relationships are seriously impacted as the distractions are sometimes too much to bear. It's difficult to focus on being engaged in the relationship because the triggers seem to be constant and impacts the ability to relax.

In most cases 4S begins in childhood or adolescence, generally with a parent of sibling as the primary trigger person. Over time the triggers and trigger people expand, in some cases limited to the people with whom the 4S sufferer associates most and in other cases to most human beings and/or animals.

Lack of sleep is a major problem as the 4S suffere struggles to sleep with certain noises around, yet struggles to sleep when there is no noise at all. A fan, white noise, radio, etc. is commonly used to block other sounds.

The person with 4S may also be hypersensitive to repeated visual stimuli such as: sounds, nervous habits, face and hair touching and mannerisms of people with whom they have frequent contact., such as:

Success in vocation is impacted. The constant management of the responses rob the ability to focus and be as productive as desired or needed.

leg bouncing,

This robs the sufferer of their creative skills and the energy necessary to fulfill their responsibilities or desires.

foot tapping,

movements associated with trigger

Sounds common to trigger the response:

Common Themes

car doors slamming

Many sounds related to

clocks ticking

eating, chewing

floors creaking

doors squeaking

dry feet sliding on floors

squeaks, rattles

heels walking on floors

balls bouncing in neighbors driveway

high pitch sounds

gum popping

dogs barking

distant low frequency sounds

back-up beepers

people clearing their throats

people sniffing

rubbing paper together- like when someone wants to turn a page

low frequency sound of a cup being set down on a table

puppies whimpering

leaf blowers

air conditioner noise

car idling

crunching foods: potato chips, nuts, ice, etc.

plate scraping

heavy breathing or snorring

clicking pens

tapping pencil

tapping feet

plastic bags, such as opening food items

rustling of someone eating popcorn or digging in a bag for food

To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Wed, January 26, 2011 7:49:10 PMSubject: RE: Re: Public Website: About Page

 Katia

My son has *all* of those as triggers also!

I can also add car doors slamming, clocks ticking, floor creaking, balls bouncing in the neighbor's driveway, and the low frequency/vibration noise through the walls from jets taxiing and taking off from the nearby airport (coincidently discussed in the recently posted link/article on noise/health).

Chris

From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ] On Behalf Of SkySent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 12:46 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page

None of the "primary trigger sounds" you list below are related to my condition. Gum POPPING is the only one in that entire paragraph. My worst ones are dogs barking, back up beepers, leaf blowers, puppies whimpering, gum popping, cars idling, TV or radio on to talk shows (I love hearing music), refrigerator noises, air conditioner noise, habitual noises sometimes people make clearing their throats, to list a few.Katia> >> > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > > > -----Original

Message-----> > From: JIM ROSS <jimross33@>> > Sender: Soundsensitivity > > Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:24:53 > > To: <Soundsensitivity >> > Reply-To: Soundsensitivity > > Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page> > > > A few things that I always think of when trying to describe our condition:> > 1) inability to block out sounds that normally would be blocked out by others- > > we hear

every sound within a distance, and many that others wouldn't hear unless > > you specifically pointed it out to them.> > 2) The response to the sounds is like the feeling when someone scratches their > > fingernails down a chalboard.> > 3) feelings of wanting to run, to scream or feeling very anxious- like the need > > to leave the room when exposed to these sounds.  > > 4) It makes me feel out of control. > > 5) It makes me feel like I'm wierd, defective or psycho. > > 6) It affects the type of job I take beacuase of the environment that will > > impact me.> > 7) It impacts social situations, as I hate going to events that cause me to sit > > close to people and not have the abvility (physically or socially) to get up and > > leave. Examples are church, meetings, group events with friends,

going to the > > theater, a play, a kids school function, etc. > > > > 8) It robs me of relationships as I am too distracted to truly engage in > > conversation unless it's one-on one and other distractions have been > > eliminated. > > > > 9) It robes me of closeness in relationships as the noises others make make me > > want toleave the room, therefore, I cannot give them my all. > > > > 10) It robs me of focus and purpose at work, as I constantly am managing my > > surroundings and emotions to be proper and get my work done. It sucks the > > energy and creativity out of me when working close with others. > > > > > > Everyone chime in!> > > > > > > > ________________________________> > From: McKenna

<richard.t.mckenna@>> > To: Soundsensitivity > > Sent: Thu, January 20, 2011 10:22:11 PM> > Subject: Public Website: About Page> > > >  > > Hi All,> >  > > I’m planning on working on the “about†page over the weekend and would like to > > know what you think should be said.> >  > > How would you define 4s?> >  > > How does it make you feel?> >  > > Rich> >>

[Guest guest]

I organized some of the information into a spreadsheet.

It is attached here.

Please continue to add information.

How is 4S defined?

Resulting Impact to Quality of Life:

Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S) is a hyper-sensibility to particular everyday sounds that most people are able to ignore.

There seems to be an inability to "block out" these stumuli.

Feeling out of control

Most people wouold not notice these triggers unless pointed out. The typical response is "ignore them, or get over it" yet the 4S sufferer seems to lack the ability to do either.

Feel defective or weird or labeled as outcast

The sounds provoke a strong negative reaction in the person with 4S.

It affects the type of job chosen becuase of the environment that will be encountered

Emotional and physiological responses include anger, rage, frustration, sadness, sense of danger and the urge to flee.

It impacts social situations. Many will avoid going to events that may cause a trigger response

The feeling is similar to that of someone scratching their fingernails down a chalkboard, a "bone chilling" or "exposed nerve" type of response

Examples: group meetings, church, going to the theater, attending a play, childrens function at school, playing in the yard where you hear a dog barking, etc.

Relationships are seriously impacted as the distractions are sometimes too much to bear. It's difficult to focus on being engaged in the relationship because the triggers seem to be constant and impacts the ability to relax.

In most cases 4S begins in childhood or adolescence, generally with a parent of sibling as the primary trigger person. Over time the triggers and trigger people expand, in some cases limited to the people with whom the 4S sufferer associates most and in other cases to most human beings and/or animals.

Lack of sleep is a major problem as the 4S suffere struggles to sleep with certain noises around, yet struggles to sleep when there is no noise at all. A fan, white noise, radio, etc. is commonly used to block other sounds.

The person with 4S may also be hypersensitive to repeated visual stimuli such as: sounds, nervous habits, face and hair touching and mannerisms of people with whom they have frequent contact., such as:

Success in vocation is impacted. The constant management of the responses rob the ability to focus and be as productive as desired or needed.

leg bouncing,

This robs the sufferer of their creative skills and the energy necessary to fulfill their responsibilities or desires.

foot tapping,

movements associated with trigger

Sounds common to trigger the response:

Common Themes

car doors slamming

Many sounds related to

clocks ticking

eating, chewing

floors creaking

doors squeaking

dry feet sliding on floors

squeaks, rattles

heels walking on floors

balls bouncing in neighbors driveway

high pitch sounds

gum popping

dogs barking

distant low frequency sounds

back-up beepers

people clearing their throats

people sniffing

rubbing paper together- like when someone wants to turn a page

low frequency sound of a cup being set down on a table

puppies whimpering

leaf blowers

air conditioner noise

car idling

crunching foods: potato chips, nuts, ice, etc.

plate scraping

heavy breathing or snorring

clicking pens

tapping pencil

tapping feet

plastic bags, such as opening food items

rustling of someone eating popcorn or digging in a bag for food

To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Wed, January 26, 2011 7:49:10 PMSubject: RE: Re: Public Website: About Page

 Katia

My son has *all* of those as triggers also!

I can also add car doors slamming, clocks ticking, floor creaking, balls bouncing in the neighbor's driveway, and the low frequency/vibration noise through the walls from jets taxiing and taking off from the nearby airport (coincidently discussed in the recently posted link/article on noise/health).

Chris

From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ] On Behalf Of SkySent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 12:46 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page

None of the "primary trigger sounds" you list below are related to my condition. Gum POPPING is the only one in that entire paragraph. My worst ones are dogs barking, back up beepers, leaf blowers, puppies whimpering, gum popping, cars idling, TV or radio on to talk shows (I love hearing music), refrigerator noises, air conditioner noise, habitual noises sometimes people make clearing their throats, to list a few.Katia> >> > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > > > -----Original

Message-----> > From: JIM ROSS <jimross33@>> > Sender: Soundsensitivity > > Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:24:53 > > To: <Soundsensitivity >> > Reply-To: Soundsensitivity > > Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page> > > > A few things that I always think of when trying to describe our condition:> > 1) inability to block out sounds that normally would be blocked out by others- > > we hear

every sound within a distance, and many that others wouldn't hear unless > > you specifically pointed it out to them.> > 2) The response to the sounds is like the feeling when someone scratches their > > fingernails down a chalboard.> > 3) feelings of wanting to run, to scream or feeling very anxious- like the need > > to leave the room when exposed to these sounds.  > > 4) It makes me feel out of control. > > 5) It makes me feel like I'm wierd, defective or psycho. > > 6) It affects the type of job I take beacuase of the environment that will > > impact me.> > 7) It impacts social situations, as I hate going to events that cause me to sit > > close to people and not have the abvility (physically or socially) to get up and > > leave. Examples are church, meetings, group events with friends,

going to the > > theater, a play, a kids school function, etc. > > > > 8) It robs me of relationships as I am too distracted to truly engage in > > conversation unless it's one-on one and other distractions have been > > eliminated. > > > > 9) It robes me of closeness in relationships as the noises others make make me > > want toleave the room, therefore, I cannot give them my all. > > > > 10) It robs me of focus and purpose at work, as I constantly am managing my > > surroundings and emotions to be proper and get my work done. It sucks the > > energy and creativity out of me when working close with others. > > > > > > Everyone chime in!> > > > > > > > ________________________________> > From: McKenna

<richard.t.mckenna@>> > To: Soundsensitivity > > Sent: Thu, January 20, 2011 10:22:11 PM> > Subject: Public Website: About Page> > > >  > > Hi All,> >  > > I’m planning on working on the “about†page over the weekend and would like to > > know what you think should be said.> >  > > How would you define 4s?> >  > > How does it make you feel?> >  > > Rich> >>

[Guest guest]

I organized some of the information into a spreadsheet.

It is attached here.

Please continue to add information.

How is 4S defined?

Resulting Impact to Quality of Life:

Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S) is a hyper-sensibility to particular everyday sounds that most people are able to ignore.

There seems to be an inability to "block out" these stumuli.

Feeling out of control

Most people wouold not notice these triggers unless pointed out. The typical response is "ignore them, or get over it" yet the 4S sufferer seems to lack the ability to do either.

Feel defective or weird or labeled as outcast

The sounds provoke a strong negative reaction in the person with 4S.

It affects the type of job chosen becuase of the environment that will be encountered

Emotional and physiological responses include anger, rage, frustration, sadness, sense of danger and the urge to flee.

It impacts social situations. Many will avoid going to events that may cause a trigger response

The feeling is similar to that of someone scratching their fingernails down a chalkboard, a "bone chilling" or "exposed nerve" type of response

Examples: group meetings, church, going to the theater, attending a play, childrens function at school, playing in the yard where you hear a dog barking, etc.

Relationships are seriously impacted as the distractions are sometimes too much to bear. It's difficult to focus on being engaged in the relationship because the triggers seem to be constant and impacts the ability to relax.

In most cases 4S begins in childhood or adolescence, generally with a parent of sibling as the primary trigger person. Over time the triggers and trigger people expand, in some cases limited to the people with whom the 4S sufferer associates most and in other cases to most human beings and/or animals.

Lack of sleep is a major problem as the 4S suffere struggles to sleep with certain noises around, yet struggles to sleep when there is no noise at all. A fan, white noise, radio, etc. is commonly used to block other sounds.

The person with 4S may also be hypersensitive to repeated visual stimuli such as: sounds, nervous habits, face and hair touching and mannerisms of people with whom they have frequent contact., such as:

Success in vocation is impacted. The constant management of the responses rob the ability to focus and be as productive as desired or needed.

leg bouncing,

This robs the sufferer of their creative skills and the energy necessary to fulfill their responsibilities or desires.

foot tapping,

movements associated with trigger

Sounds common to trigger the response:

Common Themes

car doors slamming

Many sounds related to

clocks ticking

eating, chewing

floors creaking

doors squeaking

dry feet sliding on floors

squeaks, rattles

heels walking on floors

balls bouncing in neighbors driveway

high pitch sounds

gum popping

dogs barking

distant low frequency sounds

back-up beepers

people clearing their throats

people sniffing

rubbing paper together- like when someone wants to turn a page

low frequency sound of a cup being set down on a table

puppies whimpering

leaf blowers

air conditioner noise

car idling

crunching foods: potato chips, nuts, ice, etc.

plate scraping

heavy breathing or snorring

clicking pens

tapping pencil

tapping feet

plastic bags, such as opening food items

rustling of someone eating popcorn or digging in a bag for food

To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Wed, January 26, 2011 7:49:10 PMSubject: RE: Re: Public Website: About Page

 Katia

My son has *all* of those as triggers also!

I can also add car doors slamming, clocks ticking, floor creaking, balls bouncing in the neighbor's driveway, and the low frequency/vibration noise through the walls from jets taxiing and taking off from the nearby airport (coincidently discussed in the recently posted link/article on noise/health).

Chris

From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ] On Behalf Of SkySent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 12:46 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page

None of the "primary trigger sounds" you list below are related to my condition. Gum POPPING is the only one in that entire paragraph. My worst ones are dogs barking, back up beepers, leaf blowers, puppies whimpering, gum popping, cars idling, TV or radio on to talk shows (I love hearing music), refrigerator noises, air conditioner noise, habitual noises sometimes people make clearing their throats, to list a few.Katia> >> > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > > > -----Original

Message-----> > From: JIM ROSS <jimross33@>> > Sender: Soundsensitivity > > Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:24:53 > > To: <Soundsensitivity >> > Reply-To: Soundsensitivity > > Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page> > > > A few things that I always think of when trying to describe our condition:> > 1) inability to block out sounds that normally would be blocked out by others- > > we hear

every sound within a distance, and many that others wouldn't hear unless > > you specifically pointed it out to them.> > 2) The response to the sounds is like the feeling when someone scratches their > > fingernails down a chalboard.> > 3) feelings of wanting to run, to scream or feeling very anxious- like the need > > to leave the room when exposed to these sounds.  > > 4) It makes me feel out of control. > > 5) It makes me feel like I'm wierd, defective or psycho. > > 6) It affects the type of job I take beacuase of the environment that will > > impact me.> > 7) It impacts social situations, as I hate going to events that cause me to sit > > close to people and not have the abvility (physically or socially) to get up and > > leave. Examples are church, meetings, group events with friends,

going to the > > theater, a play, a kids school function, etc. > > > > 8) It robs me of relationships as I am too distracted to truly engage in > > conversation unless it's one-on one and other distractions have been > > eliminated. > > > > 9) It robes me of closeness in relationships as the noises others make make me > > want toleave the room, therefore, I cannot give them my all. > > > > 10) It robs me of focus and purpose at work, as I constantly am managing my > > surroundings and emotions to be proper and get my work done. It sucks the > > energy and creativity out of me when working close with others. > > > > > > Everyone chime in!> > > > > > > > ________________________________> > From: McKenna

<richard.t.mckenna@>> > To: Soundsensitivity > > Sent: Thu, January 20, 2011 10:22:11 PM> > Subject: Public Website: About Page> > > >  > > Hi All,> >  > > I’m planning on working on the “about†page over the weekend and would like to > > know what you think should be said.> >  > > How would you define 4s?> >  > > How does it make you feel?> >  > > Rich> >>

[Guest guest]

I added a few more to the bottom of the list

To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Thu, January 27, 2011 9:47:24 AMSubject: Re: Re: Public Website: About Page

I organized some of the information into a spreadsheet.

It is attached here.

Please continue to add information.

How is 4S defined?

Resulting Impact to Quality of Life:

Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S) is a hyper-sensibility to particular everyday sounds that most people are able to ignore.

There seems to be an inability to "block out" these stumuli.

Feeling out of control

Most people wouold not notice these triggers unless pointed out. The typical response is "ignore them, or get over it" yet the 4S sufferer seems to lack the ability to do either.

Feel defective or weird or labeled as outcast

The sounds provoke a strong negative reaction in the person with 4S.

It affects the type of job chosen becuase of the environment that will be encountered

Emotional and physiological responses include anger, rage, frustration, sadness, sense of danger and the urge to flee.

It impacts social situations. Many will avoid going to events that may cause a trigger response

The feeling is similar to that of someone scratching their fingernails down a chalkboard, a "bone chilling" or "exposed nerve" type of response

Examples: group meetings, church, going to the theater, attending a play, childrens function at school, playing in the yard where you hear a dog barking, etc.

Relationships are seriously impacted as the distractions are sometimes too much to bear. It's difficult to focus on being engaged in the relationship because the triggers seem to be constant and impacts the ability to relax.

In most cases 4S begins in childhood or adolescence, generally with a parent of sibling as the primary trigger person. Over time the triggers and trigger people expand, in some cases limited to the people with whom the 4S sufferer associates most and in other cases to most human beings and/or animals.

Lack of sleep is a major problem as the 4S suffere struggles to sleep with certain noises around, yet struggles to sleep when there is no noise at all. A fan, white noise, radio, etc. is commonly used to block other sounds.

The person with 4S may also be hypersensitive to repeated visual stimuli such as: sounds, nervous habits, face and hair touching and mannerisms of people with whom they have frequent contact., such as:

Success in vocation is impacted. The constant management of the responses rob the ability to focus and be as productive as desired or needed.

leg bouncing,

This robs the sufferer of their creative skills and the energy necessary to fulfill their responsibilities or desires.

foot tapping,

movements associated with trigger

Sounds common to trigger the response:

Common Themes

car doors slamming

Many sounds related to

clocks ticking

eating, chewing

floors creaking

doors squeaking

dry feet sliding on floors

squeaks, rattles

heels walking on floors

balls bouncing in neighbors driveway

high pitch sounds

gum popping

dogs barking

distant low frequency sounds

back-up beepers

people clearing their throats

people sniffing

rubbing paper together- like when someone wants to turn a page

low frequency sound of a cup being set down on a table

puppies whimpering

leaf blowers

air conditioner noise

car idling

crunching foods: potato chips, nuts, ice, etc.

plate scraping

heavy breathing or snorring

clicking pens

tapping pencil

tapping feet

plastic bags, such as opening food items

rustling of someone eating popcorn or digging in a bag for food

Smacking lips

chewing gum

popping noises

crunching food

rubbing paper together

filing fingernails

clipping fingernails

rattles in car

sqeaks in car

legs wiggling- crossed legs-then bouncing up and down

sandpaper

feet sliding on floor

flip flops- when walking

saying "uh, um" when talking

high pitched speech - "S's" -(mostly womens voices, but others as well)

Hearing people walk on a floor above me-

rattling change in pockets- "pocket pool"

To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Wed, January 26, 2011 7:49:10 PMSubject: RE: Re: Public Website: About Page

 Katia

My son has *all* of those as triggers also!

I can also add car doors slamming, clocks ticking, floor creaking, balls bouncing in the neighbor's driveway, and the low frequency/vibration noise through the walls from jets taxiing and taking off from the nearby airport (coincidently discussed in the recently posted link/article on noise/health).

Chris

From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ] On Behalf Of SkySent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 12:46 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page

None of the "primary trigger sounds" you list below are related to my condition. Gum POPPING is the only one in that entire paragraph. My worst ones are dogs barking, back up beepers, leaf blowers, puppies whimpering, gum popping, cars idling, TV or radio on to talk shows (I love hearing music), refrigerator noises, air conditioner noise, habitual noises sometimes people make clearing their throats, to list a few.Katia> >> > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > > > -----Original

Message-----> > From: JIM ROSS <jimross33@>> > Sender: Soundsensitivity > > Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:24:53 > > To: <Soundsensitivity >> > Reply-To: Soundsensitivity > > Subject: Re: Public Website: About Page> > > > A few things that I always think of when trying to describe our condition:> > 1) inability to block out sounds that normally would be blocked out by others- > > we hear

every sound within a distance, and many that others wouldn't hear unless > > you specifically pointed it out to them.> > 2) The response to the sounds is like the feeling when someone scratches their > > fingernails down a chalboard.> > 3) feelings of wanting to run, to scream or feeling very anxious- like the need > > to leave the room when exposed to these sounds.  > > 4) It makes me feel out of control. > > 5) It makes me feel like I'm wierd, defective or psycho. > > 6) It affects the type of job I take beacuase of the environment that will > > impact me.> > 7) It impacts social situations, as I hate going to events that cause me to sit > > close to people and not have the abvility (physically or socially) to get up and > > leave. Examples are church, meetings, group events with friends,

going to the > > theater, a play, a kids school function, etc. > > > > 8) It robs me of relationships as I am too distracted to truly engage in > > conversation unless it's one-on one and other distractions have been > > eliminated. > > > > 9) It robes me of closeness in relationships as the noises others make make me > > want toleave the room, therefore, I cannot give them my all. > > > > 10) It robs me of focus and purpose at work, as I constantly am managing my > > surroundings and emotions to be proper and get my work done. It sucks the > > energy and creativity out of me when working close with others. > > > > > > Everyone chime in!> > > > > > > > ________________________________> > From: McKenna

<richard.t.mckenna@>> > To: Soundsensitivity > > Sent: Thu, January 20, 2011 10:22:11 PM> > Subject: Public Website: About Page> > > >  > > Hi All,> >  > > I’m planning on working on the “about†page over the weekend and would like to > > know what you think should be said.> >  > > How would you define 4s?> >  > > How does it make you feel?> >  > > Rich> >>

[Guest guest]

Please add to this list:

Certain speech sounds, in my case the silibant sound of the spoken letter " S " .

(this sentence, for example, would be impossible for me to listen to if it was a

woman's voice speaking it on television or radio or in a movie.

My reaction, besides having to flee, is imitating the sound in an exaggerated

way to mock the offending speaker even though the person is just an image on a

screen or a radio voice.

If anyone suffers from this need to mock the offending sound, please let me know

because this part of the 4S problem really is distressing to me...not to

mention embarrassing.

Anyway, that's my contribution to your growing list. Thanks for doing this.

Best regards

Elaine

> > >

> > > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone

> > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3

> > >

> > > Public Website: About Page

> > >

> > >  

> > > Hi All,

> > >  

> > > I’m planning on working on the  " about†page over the

weekend and would

> >like to

> >

> > > know what you think should be said.

> > >  

> > > How would you define 4s?

> > >  

> > > How does it make you feel?

> > >  

> > > Rich

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I spent many a night eating with my brother, who whether deliberately or not, chewed with his mouth open and made very noises that drove me crazy with anger. I was always imitating his chewing to bring it to his attention. I guess I drove him crazy too. But it was my anger that drove me to imitate him. I really can't do that very much anymore with people. I just suffer in silence.

I have found myself barking back at dogs and imitating other bothersome thinks that people do, be it sounds of movements etc.

It is part of this insanity I guess..

Mike L.

Subject: Re: Public Website: About PageTo: Soundsensitivity Date: Thursday, January 27, 2011, 11:59 AM

Please add to this list:Certain speech sounds, in my case the silibant sound of the spoken letter "S". (this sentence, for example, would be impossible for me to listen to if it was a woman's voice speaking it on television or radio or in a movie.My reaction, besides having to flee, is imitating the sound in an exaggerated way to mock the offending speaker even though the person is just an image on a screen or a radio voice.If anyone suffers from this need to mock the offending sound, please let me know because this part of the 4S problem really is distressing to me...not to mention embarrassing.Anyway, that's my contribution to your growing list. Thanks for doing this.Best regardsElaine> > >> > > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > >

> > >

Public Website: About Page> > > > > >  > > > Hi All,> > >  > > > I’m planning on working on the â€Å"about†page over the weekend and would > >like to > >> > > know what you think should be said.> > >  > > > How would you define 4s?> > >  > > > How does it make you feel?> > >  > > > Rich> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

I spent many a night eating with my brother, who whether deliberately or not, chewed with his mouth open and made very noises that drove me crazy with anger. I was always imitating his chewing to bring it to his attention. I guess I drove him crazy too. But it was my anger that drove me to imitate him. I really can't do that very much anymore with people. I just suffer in silence.

I have found myself barking back at dogs and imitating other bothersome thinks that people do, be it sounds of movements etc.

It is part of this insanity I guess..

Mike L.

Subject: Re: Public Website: About PageTo: Soundsensitivity Date: Thursday, January 27, 2011, 11:59 AM

Please add to this list:Certain speech sounds, in my case the silibant sound of the spoken letter "S". (this sentence, for example, would be impossible for me to listen to if it was a woman's voice speaking it on television or radio or in a movie.My reaction, besides having to flee, is imitating the sound in an exaggerated way to mock the offending speaker even though the person is just an image on a screen or a radio voice.If anyone suffers from this need to mock the offending sound, please let me know because this part of the 4S problem really is distressing to me...not to mention embarrassing.Anyway, that's my contribution to your growing list. Thanks for doing this.Best regardsElaine> > >> > > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > >

> > >

Public Website: About Page> > > > > >  > > > Hi All,> > >  > > > I’m planning on working on the â€Å"about†page over the weekend and would > >like to > >> > > know what you think should be said.> > >  > > > How would you define 4s?> > >  > > > How does it make you feel?> > >  > > > Rich> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

I spent many a night eating with my brother, who whether deliberately or not, chewed with his mouth open and made very noises that drove me crazy with anger. I was always imitating his chewing to bring it to his attention. I guess I drove him crazy too. But it was my anger that drove me to imitate him. I really can't do that very much anymore with people. I just suffer in silence.

I have found myself barking back at dogs and imitating other bothersome thinks that people do, be it sounds of movements etc.

It is part of this insanity I guess..

Mike L.

Subject: Re: Public Website: About PageTo: Soundsensitivity Date: Thursday, January 27, 2011, 11:59 AM

Please add to this list:Certain speech sounds, in my case the silibant sound of the spoken letter "S". (this sentence, for example, would be impossible for me to listen to if it was a woman's voice speaking it on television or radio or in a movie.My reaction, besides having to flee, is imitating the sound in an exaggerated way to mock the offending speaker even though the person is just an image on a screen or a radio voice.If anyone suffers from this need to mock the offending sound, please let me know because this part of the 4S problem really is distressing to me...not to mention embarrassing.Anyway, that's my contribution to your growing list. Thanks for doing this.Best regardsElaine> > >> > > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone> > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3> > >

> > >

Public Website: About Page> > > > > >  > > > Hi All,> > >  > > > I’m planning on working on the â€Å"about†page over the weekend and would > >like to > >> > > know what you think should be said.> > >  > > > How would you define 4s?> > >  > > > How does it make you feel?> > >  > > > Rich> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Elaine, the urge to mimic the trigger is not unusual, I have heard quite a few people with 4s mention this before. I do remember mimicking triggers as a child, because it very briefly gave me some relief from the emotional reaction, I don't think it was so much to purposely mock the other person out of anger ( I could be wrong here). Though, I did start restraining myself from doing that, because it did indeed ended up pissing some people off. But the urge to mimic is still there from time to time even now, I think it is fascinating, kind of like how science is fascinated by

contagious yawning, ( I don't believe that they have completely worked

out that mystery yet).To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Thu, January 27, 2011 1:59:13 PMSubject: Re: Public Website: About Page

Please add to this list:

Certain speech sounds, in my case the silibant sound of the spoken letter "S". (this sentence, for example, would be impossible for me to listen to if it was a woman's voice speaking it on television or radio or in a movie.

My reaction, besides having to flee, is imitating the sound in an exaggerated way to mock the offending speaker even though the person is just an image on a screen or a radio voice.

If anyone suffers from this need to mock the offending sound, please let me know because this part of the 4S problem really is distressing to me...not to mention embarrassing.

Anyway, that's my contribution to your growing list. Thanks for doing this.

Best regards

Elaine

> > >

> > > Excellent stuff, keep it coming everyone

> > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on 3

> > >

> > > Public Website: About Page

> > >

> > > ÂÂ

> > > Hi All,

> > > ÂÂ

> > > I’m planning on working on the â€Å"about†page over the weekend and would

> >like to

> >

> > > know what you think should be said.

> > > ÂÂ

> > > How would you define 4s?

> > > ÂÂ

> > > How does it make you feel?

> > > ÂÂ

> > > Rich

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> > > How would you define 4s? A hypersensitivity to background sounds or

visual stimuli that are generally ignored by other people. More important is the

response to those stimuli " triggers " . The response is a reflexive emotional

flood of rage and panic in a storm of fight-or-flight with adrenaline flooding,

face flushing, heart-pounding and/or shaking and the need to physically flee or

attack. The mindful thoughts that the emotional reflex/response is unreasonable

given the facts of the stimulus come only after the fight-or-flight response is

in full force and the affected person may find themselves in a constant mode of

" talking themselves down " into a normal state of calm.

> > > Â

> > > How does it make you feel?

> > > Â

> > > Rich

> > >

> >

>