What Does It Mean When Everything Feels Too Loud?

The fluorescent lights buzz like they’re screaming. The sound of chewing from across the room feels like sandpaper on your nerves. Even the tag on your shirt seems to be shouting at your skin. Everything is just too much—too loud, too bright, too scratchy, too chaotic. You want to cover your ears, close your eyes, and hide somewhere quiet until the world turns its volume back down.

At Televero Health, we hear about this experience from many people. They describe feeling overwhelmed by sensory input that others barely notice. They apologize for being “too sensitive” or “dramatic.” They wonder why they can’t just tune things out like everyone else seems to.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things, and you’re not alone. This experience has a name—sensory overload or sensory sensitivity—and understanding it can be the first step toward finding relief.

What Is Sensory Sensitivity?

Sensory sensitivity (sometimes called sensory processing sensitivity) refers to a heightened awareness of and response to sensory information. Your nervous system processes input from your environment more intensely than average, making ordinary sensations feel overwhelming.

This sensitivity can affect any of your senses:

Auditory (hearing): Background conversations, humming electronics, or multiple sounds at once might feel unbearable

Visual: Bright lights, busy patterns, clutter, or rapid movement might feel visually “loud” and draining

Tactile (touch): Certain fabrics, tags, seams, or light touch might feel deeply uncomfortable or distracting

Olfactory (smell): Perfumes, cleaning products, or food odors might seem overpowering

Gustatory (taste): Strong flavors, mixed textures, or temperature variations in food might feel intense

Vestibular: Movement sensations like spinning, heights, or even driving might cause excessive discomfort

Proprioceptive: Awareness of your body in space might be heightened, making crowded places feel threatening

For some people, sensitivity affects just one or two senses. For others, multiple senses can feel overloaded simultaneously, creating a perfect storm of discomfort.

Why Sensory Sensitivity Happens

Sensory sensitivity isn’t imaginary or “all in your head”—it reflects real differences in how your nervous system processes information. Several factors can contribute:

Neurological variation: Some people are simply wired to process sensory information more deeply and thoroughly. Research on highly sensitive people (HSPs) suggests about 15-20% of the population has a more sensitive nervous system.

Neurodevelopmental differences: Conditions like autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder often involve differences in sensory processing.

Nervous system activation: When your body is in a stress response, sensory filtering systems that normally help you ignore irrelevant input don’t work as effectively. This is why sensory overload often increases during periods of stress, anxiety, or burnout.

Past trauma: Traumatic experiences can make your nervous system more reactive to potential threats, including sensory input that might signal danger.

Medical conditions: Some physical conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) can involve increased sensory sensitivity.

Hormonal fluctuations: Many people notice increased sensitivity during certain phases of their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or during menopause.

Medication effects: Some medications can temporarily increase sensory sensitivity as a side effect.

Often, sensory sensitivity involves a combination of these factors, and can fluctuate with changing circumstances, stress levels, and health status.

The Emotional Impact of Living with Sensory Sensitivity

Beyond the physical discomfort, sensory sensitivity often carries significant emotional and social challenges:

Feeling fundamentally different: When you’re overwhelmed by stimuli that others barely notice, you might feel like there’s something wrong with you or that you don’t fit in.

Second-guessing yourself: You might wonder, “Am I overreacting? Is it really that loud, or am I being too sensitive?”

Shame and self-judgment: You might criticize yourself for not being able to handle what others seem to manage easily.

Social limitations: You might avoid gatherings, restaurants, or activities that trigger sensory overload, leading to isolation.

Misunderstanding from others: Others might perceive your needs as preferences or choices rather than genuine neurological differences.

Burnout from constant filtering: The effort of trying to function in overwhelming environments can lead to exhaustion and depletion.

At Televero Health, we often meet people who have spent years trying to force themselves to tolerate uncomfortable sensory experiences, believing that’s what they “should” be able to do. This struggle takes a significant toll on mental health and quality of life.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Sensory Sensitivity

Sensory sensitivity can be subtle or obvious. You might relate to some of these experiences:

You’re often the first to notice sounds that others don’t hear (like a distant siren or a ticking clock)

You feel overwhelmed in busy environments like malls, grocery stores, or crowded restaurants

You’re particular about clothing textures, tags, or seams

You feel physically uncomfortable or irritable in bright or fluorescent lighting

Strong smells (like perfume or cleaning products) feel overwhelming

You feel strongly affected by others’ moods and emotions

You need more time alone to “reset” after social activities

You’re easily startled by sudden noises or movements

You notice subtle details in your environment that others miss

You have a rich and complex inner life

These traits can bring both challenges and gifts. Many sensitive people have heightened empathy, creativity, and perceptiveness that serve them well in many contexts.

Strategies for Managing Sensory Sensitivity

If sensory sensitivity is affecting your life, consider these approaches:

Validate your experience. Recognize that your sensory experiences are real and legitimate, not character flaws or weaknesses.

Identify your specific triggers. Keep a simple log of situations, environments, or stimuli that tend to trigger overload for you. Be specific—is it particular sounds, certain lighting, specific textures?

Create sensory-friendly spaces. Adjust your home environment to reduce sensory stress: dimmer lighting, sound-absorbing materials, organized spaces, comfortable fabrics.

Use sensory tools. Consider items like noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, comfortable clothing without tags, or fidget objects that help regulate your nervous system.

Practice sensory breaks. Build short breaks into your day where you reduce sensory input—perhaps a few minutes in a quiet room, a walk outside, or even a brief bathroom break during overwhelming situations.

Communicate your needs. Practice explaining your sensory needs to others without apology. Simple statements like, “I have sensitive hearing and need to step outside for a few minutes” can help others understand.

Reduce overall stress. Since stress amplifies sensory sensitivity, general stress management practices like adequate sleep, movement, and relaxation techniques can help raise your threshold for sensory input.

Plan ahead for challenging situations. If you know you’ll be in a sensory-intense environment, plan breaks, bring comfort items, and have an exit strategy if needed.

Consider professional support. Occupational therapists specialize in sensory processing issues and can provide personalized strategies. Mental health professionals can help with the emotional aspects of living with sensitivity.

The Connection to Mental Health

Sensory sensitivity and mental health interact in complex ways:

Anxiety can increase sensitivity. When you’re anxious, your nervous system is already on high alert, making sensory input feel more threatening.

Sensitivity can trigger anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed by sensory input can create anxiety about environments or situations where overload might occur.

Depression can follow isolation. When sensory sensitivity leads to avoiding activities or connections, depression can develop.

PTSD can include sensory triggers. Trauma can make certain sensory experiences triggering, as they may be associated with traumatic memories.

At Televero Health, we understand these connections and help clients address both sensory needs and mental health as interconnected aspects of wellbeing.

Reframing Sensitivity as Strength

While managing sensory sensitivity is important, equally valuable is recognizing its potential benefits:

Depth of processing. Sensitive people often notice subtleties and process information deeply, leading to rich insights and perspectives.

Empathic awareness. Many sensitive people have strong empathy and can sense others’ emotional states with remarkable accuracy.

Aesthetic appreciation. Sensitivity often brings heightened appreciation for beauty in art, nature, music, and other sensory experiences.

Conscientiousness. Noticing details others miss can translate to thoroughness and care in work and relationships.

Intuitive understanding. Sensitivity often comes with strong intuition about situations and people.

These qualities don’t erase the challenges of sensory sensitivity, but they offer a more balanced view of what it means to have a sensitive nervous system.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by a world that seems too loud, too bright, or too chaotic, know that your experience is valid. With understanding and appropriate support, you can find ways to honor your sensory needs while still participating fully in life.

Your sensitivity isn’t a flaw to overcome—it’s a fundamental aspect of how you experience the world, bringing both challenges and gifts.

Need support with sensory sensitivity and its impact on your life? Start therapy with Televero Health today.