I was reading a thread earlier about people making lights go out when they pass them, and it reminded me of something.

I've always been able to "hear" electrical appliances that are supposed to be silent. For example, those bug-repeller machines. On the box they all say they emit a noise that only certain insects and rodents can hear, to frighten them away. Even on the smallest insect setting, I can hear that noise. My grandfather used to have one on his back porch and I would have to go inside because the sound was unbearable. They thought I was crazy because no one else could hear it.

Another thing that I've found a bit strange is that when a TV is on, I can hear it all the way across the house. And I mean when the cable box is turned off, or the TV is on mute. I can hear it from anywhere in the house, and my hairs stand on end.

Is this something attributed to having no age-induced hearing loss? I'm still young, but I wouldn't say my overall sense of hearing is amazing.

Is there a normal explanation for that?

That depends on what you mean when you say "hear".

All electrical appliances emit a certain electromagnetic field. There are people who have inner ear hairs sensitive enough that they actually feel these fields. They are weak enough to not register as sound, however, since all the hairs are affected simultaneously (and since the ear sensors really have no other reference as to what the hair movement would be), it makes the mind think it is hearing a sound, even though there is still the naggin feeling that it is less a sound and more a 'feeling' that something, like the TV, jsut came on.

That makes more sense.

When I "hear" a tv, it's more of a ringing in my ears and a physical tensing in my shoulders and neck.

When I hear these bug repellers it's the sound of a loud, pulsing locust. It's unbearable and almost physically painful to be around when it's turned on. Yet everyone else in my family can sit outside on the porch and not hear a thing.

They're made to scare bugs and rodents away, and they scare me away. Maybe it means I'm a pest?

Hell yeah! I hear this too, most often with monitors and televisions. That whine as they power up, and the buzz when you mute them...gah, its one of the worst sounds in the world. @_@

There was a thread just recently on this very subject. In that thread I posted about the fact that in some people, one or more of the senses can be more acute than is considered to be normal. With some people it can be extremely acute hearing. Some people can even hear those dog whistles that only dogs are supposed to hear or the very low buzz/hum of the electrical wiring in their homes. Personally, it is the sense of smell with me mainly. I can smell odors that are imperceptible to most other people.....like the lingering scent of perfume from someone who was in a room hours ago (or even days ago). I also am somewhat sensitive to sounds, but I notice them more late at night when the house is "silent".

The whole thing about lights going out when someone walks past... happens everytime im walking at night streetlights go out, and its cool lol. Im a shady 'goth' guy prettimuch but its fun and ive had something like everyones post happen. its not too exciting.

I agree with that. My husband is very sensitive to appliance noise, myself quite sensitive but not to the extent of Andy. If it's quiet I can hear the gas fire "roaring", and the computers humming. After a while it gets very distracting. Andy can't sleep with our bedroom tv on standby as it makes a faint hum. He can also clearly hear "silent" dog whistles. I remember once I had an ear infection and went deaf for about 2 months due to wax buildup; when it finally cleared noises were amplified to the extent that I was convinced my mum's fridge was a lorry running outside and the living room clock bugged me for weeks

Ausaria, have you ever suffered tinnitus? I have a personal theory that tinnitus sufferers are more likely to tune into these noises subconciously.

I've never looked into tinnitus but I'm sure I have it or have had it at some point. Is this something I can ask a doctor about?

Yes, the doctor will be able to give you more information, but unfortunately there's not an awful lot they can do about it

Edit: this is from the American Tinnitus Association - click on the source link for more info.



Source

I think a lot of people have this "extreme" hearing, lol. As Aquatus said, though, it's not really mystical or anything. I know how you feel. I have the same thing with the TV, and the computer drives me nuts, though it's very quiet and doesn't bother anyone else. It's just very annoying.