Why do I hear loud noises in my sleep?

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a type of sleep disorder in which you hear a loud noise or explosive crashing sound in your head. The sound isn't real or heard by anyone else. The episode typically happens suddenly either when you're beginning to fall asleep or when you wake up during the night.

What does Exploding head sound like?

It may sound like fireworks, a bomb exploding, or a loud crash. Some people have described it as a gunshot, cymbals crashing, or a lightning strike.

Is exploding head syndrome Rare?

It's estimated to occur at least once in about 10 percent of the population and appears to be more common in women and older adults. Exploding head syndrome doesn't appear to cause direct physical harm.

Why do I hear noises that wake me up?

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is an abnormal sensory perception during sleep in which a person experiences unreal noises that are loud and of short duration when falling asleep or waking up. The noise may be frightening, typically occurs only occasionally, and is not a serious health concern.

Is exploding head syndrome a seizure?

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a rare parasomnia in which affected individuals awaken from sleep with the sensation of a loud bang. The etiology is unknown, but other conditions including primary and secondary headache disorders and nocturnal seizures need to be excluded.

6 Strange Sleep Disorders

What stage of sleep does exploding head syndrome occur?

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a type of sleep disorder in which you hear a loud noise or explosive crashing sound in your head. The sound isn't real or heard by anyone else. The episode typically happens suddenly either when you're beginning to fall asleep or when you wake up during the night.

How do I stop making noises in my sleep?

White Noise: A fan or humidifier would be good options to block out some of the groaning noise, or a white noise generator designed specifically for sleep, Earplugs: These are helpful if the groaning is mild.

Why do I hear creepy noises at night?

Summary. Hearing voices at night is not uncommon. While it can be a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia, it is also seen when sleep is disrupted, after stress or trauma, or with certain medications or medical conditions.

Can anxiety cause you to hear noises?

Anxiety can cause someone to “hear things.” Examples of this can be complex, from hearing one's name, to hearing popping sounds. Most of this is due to anxiety's heightened awareness as a result of the fight or flight system. Some noises may be related to other anxiety symptoms, such as stress on the inner ear.

How do you stop auditory hallucinations at night?

Practice good sleep hygiene, such as sleeping in a cool environment. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and medications that may be causing hypnagogic hallucinations. If the medication is prescribed, talk with your doctor before changing or stopping your dosage.

What is Kleine Levin Syndrome?

Definition. Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare disorder that primarily affects adolescent males (approximately 70 percent of those with Kleine-Levin syndrome are male). It is characterized by recurring but reversible periods of excessive sleep (up to 20 hours per day).

How do you know if you have exploding head syndrome?

Symptoms of Exploding Head Syndrome

1. Complaints of loud noises or sensations that mimic the effects of an explosion in the head during transition periods between sleep and wakefulness. 2. Feelings of intense arousal, and possibly fright, following these episodes.

Is it normal to hear noises during sleep paralysis?

Similarly, the auditory (hearing) hallucinations in sleep paralysis can range from routine to bizarre. Many people hear various noises, but hearing voices is the most common. The voices may sound like whispers, screams, or laughter. Almost as often, people report hearing a loud buzzing or static noise.

Why do I hear loud bangs in my house?

While water hammer is the most common cause of a loud banging noise, it may also relate to loose straps connecting the pipes to the wall studs of the house. The loose straps may relate to water hammer or be due to other factors. The problem may also stem from excessive water pressure in your house.

How do I know if I'm having auditory hallucinations?

Auditory hallucinations

You might hear someone speaking to you or telling you to do certain things. The voice may be angry, neutral, or warm. Other examples of this type of hallucination include hearing sounds, like someone walking in the attic or repeated clicking or tapping noises.

Can you hear voices and not be schizophrenic?

Abstract. Hearing voices (i.e. auditory verbal hallucinations) is mainly known as part of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. However, hearing voices is a symptom that can occur in many psychiatric, neurological and general medical conditions.

How do you calm auditory hallucinations?

Listening to music

Listening on personal stereos to music or to the spoken word on the radio is a well-established way of reducing the frequency of auditory hallucinations.

Why do I hear footsteps in my house at night?

Just not a ghost. If you have an unfinished attic, odds are those footsteps you hear come from some rowdy ducks, mice, a cat or even a wily raccoon. Maybe they are looking for food or – perhaps – to escape from becoming food. Or maybe they are looking for an easy route inside your home.

Why do I hear whispers in my sleep?

While sleep hallucinations aren't usually a cause for concern, having hallucinations at other times can be an indication of underlying health issues. If you hear voices or see things that aren't there, call your doctor right away. You may have a condition such as: Schizophrenia.

What animal sounds like a child screaming at night?

The noise of screeching bobcats has been likened to a child wailing in distress. Typically a sound made by competing males in winter during the mating season, it can be heard in many regions of North America.

Why do I wake up moaning?

Nighttime groaning, also called catathrenia, is a rare sleep disorder that causes you to groan loudly in your sleep¹ as you exhale. This nighttime groaning happens almost nightly², and you may be unaware that you are groaning. The loud noises you make may be disturbing to a sleep partner or others who hear the sound.

What does sleep apnea sound like?

Sleep apnea sounds like snoring, but the vital difference is in your breathing patterns. With sleep apnea, your breathing can halt for seconds at a time, and the breaths you take tend to become shallow. These pauses can range from 10 seconds to 1 minute in severe cases.

What does catathrenia sound like?

Sometimes referred to as "nocturnal groaning," catathrenia presents itself as a long, monotone groan or moan, made involuntarily while the person is asleep. It may sound like a high-pitched squeak as well.

Can stress cause exploding head syndrome?

The cause of exploding head syndrome is not known. It may occur more often when you are very tired or under stress. In many people, the episodes occur less often over a period of years. Exploding head syndrome can be confused with headache syndromes.

Can your brain actually explode?

Like exploding head syndrome, it is physically harmless but can be a scary experience. Scientists don't understand why these puzzling conditions happen, but they believe that the same part of the brainstem is responsible for both.