Hi there. My experiences and those of others I spend lots of time with, suggest that as some of our senses are diminished on some days, others are boosted as a kind of compensation. Vision goes down, hearing goes up. Touch goes down, smell or taste etc goes up and so it goes on.
Loud noises can be a problem, sudden noises usually are, background sounds that disturb concentration are problematic and so on. Even a constant background of many conversations going on can create confusion and therefore lack of attention and so a sudden, quiet hello, can make you jump from the other world you have drifted in to.
High pitched sounds especially child sounds have a very disturbing effect for some reason presumably hitting a sub conscious button somewhere.
I have earphone in much of the time as this music is constant, under my control and blocks out other sudden or loud or background noises.
some days it is eyes rather than ears and i have to wear sunglasses to avoid squinting even in seemingly low light conditions????
Wayne