When I get really anxious or hypervigilant my ears sound weird like having an ear infection or a cold without having one, the sound goes on and off and surroundings really loud. I was shopping a couple of weeks ago and I was trying to make conversation with the cashier but felt I sounded very quiet and the 'beeping' of the scanner felt right beside my ears. The rest of the environment sounded distant a little bit like underwater or veiled in some way.
I hope this is making sense. Is this part of hypervigilance?