Ligyrophobia, sometimes known as phonophobia, is the fear of loud noises. The fear is most common in young children but may occur in adults as well. Some people are afraid only of very sudden loud noises, while others fear ongoing noise. This can affect your ability to feel comfortable in social settings that involve being in a crowd, such as parties, concerts and other events.In Small ChildrenCommon fears are a normal part of growing up, and many small children exhibit numerous short-lived fears. Loud noises, like any surprising stimuli, may trigger reactions even in very young infants. For most kids, however, these fears are mild and transient.However, children are just as capable as adults of developing deep-seatedphobiasthat follow them throughout their childhood. Some phobias may be a result of genetics, while for others it may be a result of life experience.If a child’s fear lasts longer than six months, or if the fear is not easily assuaged, it is important to seek treatment from a qualifiedmental health professional.The Psychology of FearIn AdultsIn adults and older children, the fear of loud noises can be embarrassing at best and life-limiting at worst. This fear may not be talked about or revealed to friends, family, or doctors.Adults may find it difficult to function in noisy office environments, drive on busy highways, or even socialize in crowded restaurants or bars. Children may have difficulty paying attention in class, participating in team sports, or spending time with friends in noisy environments.Some people with this fear have a particularlydifficult time falling asleep, as outside noises can be magnified when lying in a dark, quiet room.Other DisordersA decreased tolerance for noise is sometimes indicative of another condition. Hyperacusis andmisophoniaare physiological disorders that cause increased noise sensitivity.Although they may occur on their own, these disorders are sometimes linked to conditions fromautism spectrum disorderto Meniere’s disease.For this reason, it is important to consult with your family physician.A simple noise phobia is easy to treat, but if concurrent disorders are present, all conditions should be treated simultaneously. Your doctor may work in tandem with a mental health professional to properly treat your conditions.TreatmentTreatment may vary depending on the severity of your fear and the level of social interaction you are able to successfully participate in on your own.Treatment may includeexposure therapy, which will place you in an environment that invokes your fear in a controlled way.Talk therapymay also be helpful, which is counseling with a mental health professional about the triggers, fears, and origins of your anxiety to help you become more rational about your fear of loud noises.There are numerous self-help techniques that may involvemuscle relaxation,support groups, andhypnotherapy, as well asmeditation,positive self-talk, and other ways of improving your reaction to loud noises.Another practical way to alleviate your fear is to control the noise level in your immediate space as much as is comfortable. By informing others of your fear, you may be able to find a happy medium that may not affect others as much as it would help you.
Ligyrophobia, sometimes known as phonophobia, is the fear of loud noises. The fear is most common in young children but may occur in adults as well. Some people are afraid only of very sudden loud noises, while others fear ongoing noise. This can affect your ability to feel comfortable in social settings that involve being in a crowd, such as parties, concerts and other events.
In Small Children
Common fears are a normal part of growing up, and many small children exhibit numerous short-lived fears. Loud noises, like any surprising stimuli, may trigger reactions even in very young infants. For most kids, however, these fears are mild and transient.
However, children are just as capable as adults of developing deep-seatedphobiasthat follow them throughout their childhood. Some phobias may be a result of genetics, while for others it may be a result of life experience.
If a child’s fear lasts longer than six months, or if the fear is not easily assuaged, it is important to seek treatment from a qualifiedmental health professional.
The Psychology of Fear
In Adults
In adults and older children, the fear of loud noises can be embarrassing at best and life-limiting at worst. This fear may not be talked about or revealed to friends, family, or doctors.
Adults may find it difficult to function in noisy office environments, drive on busy highways, or even socialize in crowded restaurants or bars. Children may have difficulty paying attention in class, participating in team sports, or spending time with friends in noisy environments.
Some people with this fear have a particularlydifficult time falling asleep, as outside noises can be magnified when lying in a dark, quiet room.
Other Disorders
A decreased tolerance for noise is sometimes indicative of another condition. Hyperacusis andmisophoniaare physiological disorders that cause increased noise sensitivity.
Although they may occur on their own, these disorders are sometimes linked to conditions fromautism spectrum disorderto Meniere’s disease.For this reason, it is important to consult with your family physician.
A simple noise phobia is easy to treat, but if concurrent disorders are present, all conditions should be treated simultaneously. Your doctor may work in tandem with a mental health professional to properly treat your conditions.
Treatment
Treatment may vary depending on the severity of your fear and the level of social interaction you are able to successfully participate in on your own.
Treatment may includeexposure therapy, which will place you in an environment that invokes your fear in a controlled way.Talk therapymay also be helpful, which is counseling with a mental health professional about the triggers, fears, and origins of your anxiety to help you become more rational about your fear of loud noises.
There are numerous self-help techniques that may involvemuscle relaxation,support groups, andhypnotherapy, as well asmeditation,positive self-talk, and other ways of improving your reaction to loud noises.
Another practical way to alleviate your fear is to control the noise level in your immediate space as much as is comfortable. By informing others of your fear, you may be able to find a happy medium that may not affect others as much as it would help you.
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia.StatPearls Publishing.Fackrell K, Potgieter I, Shekhawat GS, Baguley DM, Sereda M, Hoare DJ.Clinical interventions for hyperacusis in adults: A scoping review to assess the current position and determine priorities for research.Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:2723715. doi:10.1155/2017/2723715Bhatar A, Quintin E-M, Fombonne E, Levitin DJ.Early sensitivity to sound and musical preferences and enjoyment in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain. 2013;23(2):100-8. doi:10.1037/a0033754Ghavami Y, Mahboubi H, Yau A, Maducdoc M, Djalilian H.Migraine features in patients with Meniere’s disease.The Laryngoscope. 2015;126(1). doi:10.1002/lary.25344Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337–346.
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia.StatPearls Publishing.Fackrell K, Potgieter I, Shekhawat GS, Baguley DM, Sereda M, Hoare DJ.Clinical interventions for hyperacusis in adults: A scoping review to assess the current position and determine priorities for research.Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:2723715. doi:10.1155/2017/2723715Bhatar A, Quintin E-M, Fombonne E, Levitin DJ.Early sensitivity to sound and musical preferences and enjoyment in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain. 2013;23(2):100-8. doi:10.1037/a0033754Ghavami Y, Mahboubi H, Yau A, Maducdoc M, Djalilian H.Migraine features in patients with Meniere’s disease.The Laryngoscope. 2015;126(1). doi:10.1002/lary.25344Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337–346.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia.StatPearls Publishing.Fackrell K, Potgieter I, Shekhawat GS, Baguley DM, Sereda M, Hoare DJ.Clinical interventions for hyperacusis in adults: A scoping review to assess the current position and determine priorities for research.Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:2723715. doi:10.1155/2017/2723715Bhatar A, Quintin E-M, Fombonne E, Levitin DJ.Early sensitivity to sound and musical preferences and enjoyment in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain. 2013;23(2):100-8. doi:10.1037/a0033754Ghavami Y, Mahboubi H, Yau A, Maducdoc M, Djalilian H.Migraine features in patients with Meniere’s disease.The Laryngoscope. 2015;126(1). doi:10.1002/lary.25344Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337–346.
Samra CK, Abdijadid S.Specific phobia.StatPearls Publishing.
Fackrell K, Potgieter I, Shekhawat GS, Baguley DM, Sereda M, Hoare DJ.Clinical interventions for hyperacusis in adults: A scoping review to assess the current position and determine priorities for research.Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:2723715. doi:10.1155/2017/2723715
Bhatar A, Quintin E-M, Fombonne E, Levitin DJ.Early sensitivity to sound and musical preferences and enjoyment in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain. 2013;23(2):100-8. doi:10.1037/a0033754
Ghavami Y, Mahboubi H, Yau A, Maducdoc M, Djalilian H.Migraine features in patients with Meniere’s disease.The Laryngoscope. 2015;126(1). doi:10.1002/lary.25344
Kaczkurkin AN, Foa EB.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update on the empirical evidence.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(3):337–346.
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