Ligyrophobia
Encyclopedia
Phonophobia is a fear
of loud sounds. It can also mean a fear of voices
, or a fear of one's own voice.
For example, listening to a CD that starts with a minute of silence and then suddenly goes into loud rock music
would be extremely startling for most people, assuming they had no prior knowledge of the content of the CD. Being startled is in itself a normal reaction, but the key difference is that people with ligyrophobia actively fear such an occurrence.
Ligyrophobics may be fearful of devices that can suddenly emit loud sounds, such as computer speakers or fire alarms. When operating a home theater system, computer, television, CD player, etc., they may wish to have the volume turned down all the way before doing anything that would cause the speakers to emit sound, so that once the command to produce sound is given, the user can raise the volume of the speakers to a comfortable listening level. They may avoid parades and carnival due to the loud instruments such as drums. Other ligyrophobics also steer clear of any events in which fireworks are to be let off.
Another example is watching someone blow up a balloon beyond its normal capacity. This is often an unsettling, even disturbing thing for a person with ligyrophobia to observe, as he or she anticipates a loud sound when the balloon pops.
When balloons pop, two types of reactions are heavy breathing and panic attacks. The sufferer becomes anxious to get away from the source of the loud sound.
Phonophobia is relatively rare, with an estimated 15% of the world's population known to suffer from it.
It may also be related to, caused by, or confused with "hyperacusis
", extreme sensitivity to loud sounds Phonophobia also refers to an extreme form of misophonia
. .
Fear
Fear is a distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger...
of loud sounds. It can also mean a fear of voices
Voices
Voices is a 2006 translation of a 2003 crime novel by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason, another entry in the multi award-winning Detective Erlendur series. It was first published in English in August, 2006. The Swedish translation of the novel won Sweden's Martin Beck Award for the best crime...
, or a fear of one's own voice.
For example, listening to a CD that starts with a minute of silence and then suddenly goes into loud rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
would be extremely startling for most people, assuming they had no prior knowledge of the content of the CD. Being startled is in itself a normal reaction, but the key difference is that people with ligyrophobia actively fear such an occurrence.
Ligyrophobics may be fearful of devices that can suddenly emit loud sounds, such as computer speakers or fire alarms. When operating a home theater system, computer, television, CD player, etc., they may wish to have the volume turned down all the way before doing anything that would cause the speakers to emit sound, so that once the command to produce sound is given, the user can raise the volume of the speakers to a comfortable listening level. They may avoid parades and carnival due to the loud instruments such as drums. Other ligyrophobics also steer clear of any events in which fireworks are to be let off.
Another example is watching someone blow up a balloon beyond its normal capacity. This is often an unsettling, even disturbing thing for a person with ligyrophobia to observe, as he or she anticipates a loud sound when the balloon pops.
When balloons pop, two types of reactions are heavy breathing and panic attacks. The sufferer becomes anxious to get away from the source of the loud sound.
Phonophobia is relatively rare, with an estimated 15% of the world's population known to suffer from it.
It may also be related to, caused by, or confused with "hyperacusis
Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis is a health condition characterized by an over-sensitivity to certain frequency ranges of sound...
", extreme sensitivity to loud sounds Phonophobia also refers to an extreme form of misophonia
Misophonia
Misophonia, literally “hatred of sound,” is a form of decreased sound tolerance. It is also known as Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome ....
. .