Ligyrophobia—Fear of Loud Sounds
I’ve always had what I termed a “noise aversion” since as long as I can remember. Loud, sudden noises make me cringe, hunch down and want to get away from the source of the clamor as soon as conceivably possible.
I recall 4th of July parades. During this time of patriotism, all I could think about was the impending clatter to come—roaring sirens and blaring marching bands. I had secretly hoped we’d leave before these parts of the parade marched toward us, or maybe they would just wander off the parade path. I could only dream.
Whenever loud noises occur, I feel shaky, my heart starts to beat rapidly and it’s hard to breathe. Don’t even get me started on noisemakers during New Year’s Eve. I want to hide them all before drunken yahoos wield them about wildly. The noise is so unnerving I can feel the vein in my head throbbing.
I realized later on in life that this was more than just an aversion, but rather ligyrophonia (synonym = phonophobia). Ligyrophobia is the fear of sudden and unexpected loud noises. Anyone can become startled by an unexpected noise, but those with ligyrophobia actively fear the occurrence of loud noises. While my personal fear of loud noises isn’t that bad compared to others, it is still frustrating to deal with.
Symptoms of Ligyrophobia
- Breathlessness
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
- Dry mouth
- Feeling sick
- Shaking
- Heart palpitations
- Becoming mad or losing control
- An anxiety attack
Treatment for Ligyrophobia
Hypnotherapy can be used to help you overcome your fear by communicating with your subconscious mind. It’s safe, effective and works quickly.
Energy psychology is emotional acupuncture without the needles. It can help you change your behavior and your thought patterns. Energy therapy puts you in control and helps you to release your phobia.
I find that slow breathing helps to me to cope with sudden, jarring sounds.
–Nolan
Do you have any remedies for a phobia? Comment and tell us about it!
Hi Nolan,
Strange how names are given for whatever. I mean such as “Ligyrophobia”. We have to hand it to these Medical scientists. Ha ha ha. I would have thought of something simpler like “Loudrophobia” instead.
Cheers,
Wind Mill
Wind Mill,
Thank you for your comment. I’m enjoying writing about phobias, especially those that are out of the ordinary. Please let us know if you have any topics you would like us to blog about.
Wow!
For as long as I can remember I was terrified of Fireworks!.. Hockey games, circus’, anything that might have indoor fireworks, left me shaking in my seat! I’d stand in the extra long line-ups for popcorn at concerts if it meant missing the opening “explosions”
Even the thought of the school firebell going off would make me avoid going in our school gym when I was little (also causing me to miss school)! I never imagined there was a name for it!
I hate ligyrophobia especially when a balloon pops. I also scared of thunder.
Dear Amanda,
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m also not to fond of fireworks, especially the ones with the loud whizzing or screeching sounds. I used to watch fireworks with a blanket around my ears. I can appreciate the beauty in them, but the sound can be unnerving at times.
The fire bell was also rather frightening when I was in school. Over time, I’ve become a bit more desensitized to it though.
Please let us know if there are any topics you would like us to cover.
Thanks!
Dear Richard,
Thanks for your comment. Yeah balloon popping drives me nuts. I can’t stand it. As for thunder, if I hear it all of a sudden it bothers me, but if I’m already sleeping it usually doesn’t wake me up. I’m a heavy sleeper.
Please let us know if there are any topics you would like us to cover.
Thanks!
Well, I don’t know about balloons or thunder, but my dad is a turd and likes to scare me all the time. He’ll sneak up on me when I’m on my laptop and then yell “BANG!” really loudly. I always jump when he does that.
I hate live concerts, too. Everyone’s yelling, the music is way too loud, and it’s way too late at night.
I never had a problem with thunder though. I don’t mind thunder or lightning at all. Still, excessively loud and sudden noise always startles me.
Do you think I have Ligyrophobia?
I start shaking when I start seeing a balloon being blown up larger then normal just waiting for it to burst, ugh, fireworks are 10x worse! My mothers dosen’t believe me and thinks I’m just being difficult, though I’ve tried explaining this is a ligitimite fear. She thinks I’ve simply made it up and that I’m 16 already I shouldn’t be like this. How did you explain this as a teen?
Wow same here!! Im also 16 and nobody in my life believes that this is an acual fear! I am afraid of anything that makes a loud sudden noise such as fireworks, ballons, guns, and thunder. I remember when I was little on 4 th of july when my family would go to see fireworks all I would do is cry because it was so loud and my dad would be telling me to deal with it and to get over it!! On my birthday when i would be having a party I would hide in my room while other people would blow up ballons because I was so afraid of them popping!! Even at my job (waitressing) they make fun of me because of this! Some of my co-workers purposly blow up ballons and pretend they are going to pop them to scare me!! It gets me really mad. I relly hope that this goes away as i get older. I just want to be normal!! ha ha
I have a really weird version of this phobia, at least I think I do! I HATE anywhere near balloons (unless other people near them are completely leaving the balloons alone), guns (even just cap guns) and klaxons, and the other day when I was told by someone that the fire bell was due to go off in 5 minutes, and they told me what it would sound like, I had to go stand outside the building because I got so jittery and tense dreading it happening - and yet, I am absolutely fine with fireworks, party crackers, party poppers and loud music, but when you think about it they all sound similar to guns and balloons, but they don’t affect me at all. Weird. :/
It’s annoying actually - does anyone else have friends that like to taunt you by popping balloons (well I say “friends”…)??
I’ve had Ligyrophobia ever since I remember. It was always a nightmare - holidays, parties, celebrations… I can’t even tell you all of the countless times I’ve had to leave places or had complete and utter panic attacks - sobbing, shaking, sweating, freaking out, you name it over this fear. Balloons are the worst for me. Just seeing one being blown up, I completely freak out, the fight-or-flight response kicks in, and I look for any way to escape or leave the situation. It’s horrible. Some parts of the phobia have gotten better over the years - like the fireworks, although they still terrify me, but for some reason balloons are worse. I can’t stand to see kids play with them. If I see them at the mall, I duck into the nearest store to get away from a possible pop. It sounds silly explaining it, actually. But it’s completely out of my control and always has been. It’s nice to know other people out there know how I feel though!
I have been scared of this ever since i can remember. People in my class know this gets to me, and purposely pop things in front of me, just to see me cry. I ususally end up throwing up, or even fainting. I have had enough of this, and have been living with it for a decade now, and have got counselling. Anyone else out there, i recommend you try counselling. Because now i still hate fireworks, guns, balloons etc, but i dont throw up anymore, and that tells me the counselling is working. Also Stephanie, i am the same. I see a balloon being blown up, and run away, shaking or even burst into tears. But you should talk to your mother about this, because she should believe you. My mother believes me.