Breathing noises

DeafBadger

DeafBadger

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This is a bit embarrassing to mention, but I think I breathe fairly heavily most of the time.

Once in a while, I can sort of hear myself (with hearing aids), but most of the time, I don't. But occasionally, I have noticed people (hearies) sitting next to me, turning their head as if in reaction to a sound. (When we are not speaking, etc.) I think they are hearing me breathe through my nose or something. Occasionally, some family members have mentioned it.

I also think I "squeak" a little when talking. I mean that a bit of air gets past the larynx and makes a squeak. I can feel the vibration in my throat and I've observed reactions from hearies. I don't think it's loud, but it's probably audible.

Obviously, the reason I'm making these sounds is because I don't really hear it. If I heard it, I probably could figure out how to breathe quieter or not make the sound.

My question is: how do other deafies or hard of hearing folks deal with trying to quell the noises of breathing, etc? I'd like to effectively deal with this.
 
I'll tell you what .. me being deaf myself I can't hear myself breathing. But it is a question I have asked my honey about several times. He says the only time he hears people breathing is when they are stuffed up, generally. Normal breathing, no. This came about when I told him about a job I had in high school, one of my co-workers would tell me every day that she could hear me breathing. It made me so self-concious I was forever running into the restroom to blow my nose (even though I didn't have a cold.) My honey got mad when I told him that story, he thinks she was just picking on me. So ... you may not be breathing as heavy/loud as you might imagine you are. Do you have allergies or colds frequently?
 
AlleyCat said:
I'll tell you what .. me being deaf myself I can't hear myself breathing. But it is a question I have asked my honey about several times. He says the only time he hears people breathing is when they are stuffed up, generally. Normal breathing, no. This came about when I told him about a job I had in high school, one of my co-workers would tell me every day that she could hear me breathing. It made me so self-concious I was forever running into the restroom to blow my nose (even though I didn't have a cold.) My honey got mad when I told him that story, he thinks she was just picking on me. So ... you may not be breathing as heavy/loud as you might imagine you are. Do you have allergies or colds frequently?
Click to expand...

People tell me I breath loudly sometimes....it's usually due to allergies. I don't realize it
 
I might have some allergies, but never diagnosed with any. (Never tested for them in the first place.)

I can get stuffed up in the nose rather easily. I wonder if I might have a deviated septum as well. :dunno:
 
Sometimes, when the condition is right (due to congestion), you can actually make a whistling sound through your nose.
 
Yeah. Been told I breathed heavy at times also....could be you are congested?...Maybe try some Musenex (over the counter) to clear it up if you are....I also had a "wheezing" in my chest and could even feel it myself. Had my air waves flushed and never felt better. Less congestion and sinus.
 
I have people told me I breathe heavy sometimes too. It hard to tell, voice volume easier to control cos can feel vibration too loud or quiet, doesn't work like that with breathing.
 
This is a lot embarrassing than what you guys feel, for instance when laughing you made this pig like sound as if you’re grasping for breath. [Ashamed]
 
Wirelessly posted (dorothybaez)

I have had the head cold from hell for almost a week now. I was so miserable over the weekend and my son told me that he knew it was bad because he could hear me breathing....usually I can breathe quietly even though I have to really try.
 
It's possible. My wife sometimes complains about the noise I make breathing/chewing/etc. It tends to happen when I have a blocked up nose due to cold/hay fever/dust allergy. Also when I was really overweight I would wheeze and snore far more.
 
DeafBadger said:
This is a bit embarrassing to mention, but I think I breathe fairly heavily most of the time.

Once in a while, I can sort of hear myself (with hearing aids), but most of the time, I don't. But occasionally, I have noticed people (hearies) sitting next to me, turning their head as if in reaction to a sound. (When we are not speaking, etc.) I think they are hearing me breathe through my nose or something. Occasionally, some family members have mentioned it.

I also think I "squeak" a little when talking. I mean that a bit of air gets past the larynx and makes a squeak. I can feel the vibration in my throat and I've observed reactions from hearies. I don't think it's loud, but it's probably audible.

Obviously, the reason I'm making these sounds is because I don't really hear it. If I heard it, I probably could figure out how to breathe quieter or not make the sound.

My question is: how do other deafies or hard of hearing folks deal with trying to quell the noises of breathing, etc? I'd like to effectively deal with this.
Click to expand...

If I blow out hard, I can hear it. But I can't hear myself breathe normally.
 
Old post resurrection!

Since I got my CI's, I've noticed that overweight people tend to be loud breathers....just as those that have congestion issues.

Deaf, HOH, or hearing, the overweight ones are louder than most, period.

And yes, I've been told I make noise, so after years of being criticized by family members for every little sound I make, now I have a reputation for being as quiet as a mouse. Whenever I am in the presence of hearing company, I am always self conscious.
 
Anyone who suspects they are making excessive breathing noises should probably first get checked out with an ENT specialist. Most of the noises are not a result of stuffed up noses but with a functional problem in the throat area, such as the larynx or adenoids. As you have noticed, blowing the nose doesn't solve the problem.

It could be mouth breathing or awake snoring, allergies, or other respiratory problems.

Other than the ENT, a speech therapist might offer some tips for breathing techniques.

Try to also take note of when the noises might be most noticeable. At that time, are you under stress, over-tired, exercising, slouching, etc.?

For your own peace of mind, if you have a trusted friend or relative who can give you honest feedback, you will know whether or not your breathing noises are really noticeable by other people. (Not someone who is so used to your breathing that they can't objectively evaluate the situation. :) )
 
Interesting thread. My brother refused to sleep in the same room with me because I breathe too loud. I never thought about actively trying to change my breathing.
 
My stomach makes more noise than my breathing. If I haven't eaten on schedule my stomach let's me know. People will stare at my stomach, I guess it is telling me to fuel the fire
 
Partner had a breathing plm that makes me nervous, told him to get his asthma inhaler. I notice deaf can't feel himself.
 
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