What does it mean when you hear knocking in your sleep and it wakes you up?
Mia Lopez
Updated on March 15, 2026
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 it mean when you hear a knock in your head?
Tinnitus, also called head noise, is a ringing, buzzing, whooshing, or clicking noise that only the sufferer can hear. Potential causes can vary widely, and commonly include hearing loss, high blood pressure, and chronic medical conditions.Can a sound in a dream wake you up?
The former is a type of hypnogogic hallucination, and the latter is a type of hypnopompic hallucination. Although they're only hallucinations, which are imagined, the noises in exploding head syndrome feel very realistic at the time they occur. These noises may jolt you awake and keep you from falling back to sleep.Is exploding head syndrome serious?
Is Exploding Head Syndrome Dangerous? EHS is considered a harmless condition that does not pose a danger to one's health. In fact, primary management of the disorder includes education and reassurances about its benign nature. Some people even experience fewer EHS episodes after hearing this information.Why do I hear banging at night?
Exploding head syndrome belongs to a group of sleep disorders called parasomnias. It causes people to hear loud noises, such as crashing cymbals or thunderclaps, as they transition in or out of deep sleep. Some people also report seeing bright flashes of light at the same time.Do you hear a knock?
Why do I keep hearing bangs in my house?
Banging Noises in the WallsThe knocking or banging noise you hear coming from your walls usually occurs when air pressure builds in your water pipes. This pressure builds up and causes your pipes to vibrate once the pressure is released (when your faucets are turned on or your toilet is flushed).