Noise Sensitivity

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Permalink Reply by Chris Witherspoon on December 5, 2009 at 7:07pm

When we are stressed we can become sensitive to many any outside stimuli. Stress reduction could be all you need with a simple suggestion that everyday sounds will no longer be an irritant but rather be helpful in calming and relaxing your client when they become aware of mounting stress.

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on December 6, 2009 at 4:35am

Quite apart from the stress reduction side, and Chris's suggestion that noises help them to relax.

It might be worth bearing in mind that the irritation with those peoples noises, may be just the outward manifestation of other interpersonal issues with them.

The classic example is the person who has been happilly sleeping with their partner for years, and then at some point finds their snoring irritating, and seeks help to 'Fix' the partners snoring.

If we love someone, the sounds they make are charming.
If we have issues with them,
anything they do, or say can be irritating,
and perceived as 'the problem'

Hope this is helpful,


LOve and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Paul Dennehy (Paul Dee) on December 6, 2009 at 5:21am

Hi Greg,
Fable has a very good point. It may also be that the sounds trigger an experience from the past. If you do analytical work you could source the root of the irritation. Otherwise you could suggest that the sounds trigger a pleasant feeling. A suggestion technique I've used for pain management which is very effective may be of use. Once you establish which of the clients five senses is the dominent one use that to create the control room of the mind like air traffic control. 'Your own air traffic control with lots of operators making sure that everything is under control. breathing pulse, diestion etc. Ask to speak with the person in charge of the control tower and ask that person to take you to the place where sound is monitorer within the control tower. Then ask the operator to find the button or switch or slide control that will turn the sniffle down to a bearable level or to eliminate it by turning the sound down to zero. Also remember to include suggestions that any sound that may be a hazard will be instantly recognizable. Hope that's of help.

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on December 6, 2009 at 5:46am

Hello Greg, Chris and Fable,

I know a confusion technique when I see one- Greg
>>"A" client has contacted me because "They" have become sensitive to repetitive sounds...
This "client" is stressed and I will do some relaxation and stress reduction work with "them"

The offending noises may or may not be an outward manifestation of other interpersonal issues with the people making the annoying sounds. Example, one member of a long-term relationship gains 20 pounds and begins to snore. Which is why, I recommend using your intake to find out if it is a new behavior that is bothersome or if the relationship is stressed and everything the "other" does is becoming a bother. Ask and let his, her or their answer(s) be your guide.

Suggestions that make the offending sound relaxing can be very effective, especially if you give the client(s) a reason to believe hypnosis will help them resolve their "issue". Example: "Hypnosis works because it utilizes skills and abilities that our minds and brains already have, people who live near airports or train tracks quickly learn to tune out or ignore those sounds without really thinking about it and hypnosis can actually help your mind and brain tune out or ignore the sounds that used to bother you - In fact, we can hypnotically condition your mind and brain to use those sounds as a signal to relax without thinking about it... Blah, blah, blah-"

Warmest regards,
Michael E.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on December 6, 2009 at 6:32am

Hello Greg,

If I had a client with this complaint, I would congratulate him on having such a powerful mind! Not everyone can hone in their awareness so well and he is a lucky person to have such acuity of hearing and concentration; he will be excellent at hypnosis!

Helping this client by teaching him stress relieving tactics will be a wonderful start. Then, allowing him to demonstrate that he is in control of his awareness level of all of his senses, not just his hearing, will give him power over these "annoyances". One reframe tactic that I use is to, rather than calibrate the level of intruding noise (or discomfort, etc), measure the level of relief or comfort and work on enhancing that.

Or, as previously stated here, you can suggest that the noise is pleasant or attractive in some way. I remember working with the spouse of a snorer who responded to the suggestion that the racket was a far-off bleat of a foghorn and thereafter she gently rocked herself to sleep.

I would also inquire, during intake, about communication quality within this client's relationships. Hearing related issues can sometimes be associated with someone not being heard or someone not listening...

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by James Malone on December 6, 2009 at 11:01am

Greg, the main thing here is a thorough intake interview and look at all the triggers and then work to desensitize them. Keep in mind too there is a condition called hyperacusis, which is sensitivity to loud sounds and often seen in people who have tinnitus.

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