I can't stand sound of chewing gum cracking. Is there anything to help this?

Question:

I get incredible anxiety and essentially am rendered useless when I here the sound of chewing gum cracking and popping. I really can't function. In fact, I liken it to the way kryptonite affects Superman. It is something that I have dealt with for 40 some odd years. Is there anyone who might know of something that can help? I have tried AIT, which is a therapy called Auditory Integration Training. It is supposed to have had some success for people with hypersensitive hearing. It hasn't worked and I've done it 4 times. Is there anyone who might know of anything else that might alleviate the sensitivity? Thanks so much..

Answers:
I have Asperger Syndrome and went through AIT in 2001. I found it didn't help me, either. I have sound sensitivities to screaming children. I associate it to a chainsaw running in my ear. I am very limited in society due to this alone. I also barely hold it together during early July when the neighbors are setting off fireworks.
One thing I found helped me was a form of therapy called cognitive therapy.
Cognitive therapy is used in a wide variety of mental health treatment. You are basically taught to re-think and modify your thoughts. It isn't a cure-all (esp. since I have a neurobiological, not a psychiatric disorder), but I found it did help me cope better. I don't know if you are seeing a therapist, but I would suggest it since this is a problem that is so greatly affecting your life. I am on medication, too, and the right combination really helps. A therapist would be able to determine whether you would need medication from a doctor.
I also had custom-made ear-plugs made. They block out 20 decibels of sound. This would probably help you decrease the sound problem with the sharpness of the popping of the gum while still being able to hear the people and general activity around you. Check that out with an ear doctor.
Hope this helps.

Other Answers:
Smack the asshole who is cracking the gum

When you feel the symptoms coming on, quickly stick a finger in each ear, then duck and cover. Seek help from a hypnotist

Ear Plugs..getting up and leaving the area where this person is cracking gum..choose new friends..choose new venues to hang out in. Usually most older people do not even chew gum let alone crack gum. Look at where you go and who you are with.and change since you are not going to change others.

. have you tried chewing gum? .

Introduce the person cracking and popping to manners. It amazes me how many people now a days dont even have common courtesy. "please, thank you, chewing with your mouth shut, holding a door" these are not being taught at home, nor at school and there is an entire generation growing up to be animals. Remove yourself from the situation. Its not all you.
Good luck!! have u tried an antidepressant with therapy

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I can't stand sound of chewing gum cracking. Is there anything to help this?

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