Yes, any loud and unexpected noise makes me anxious. The phone can cause me to panic for a moment if I was totally not expecting it. Usually I can get over the panic pretty quickly if the sound is easily explained, but it does make me anxious for a little while. Sirens also make me anxious, because I have some medical anxiety. Just hearing it can make me very panicky.

Smells also can trigger anxiety, I've learned. This morning I was on a bus and the girl sitting next to me had an open bottle of rubbing alcohol (I have no idea why). The smell reminded me of a hospital and made me very anxious and also nauseas because it smelled gross.

I have always been very sensitive to sounds and scents, so that is probably why this stuff can make me panic. But I think it's fairly common, especially for people with anxiety.

Yeah, I can always tell when I am really overly sensitized because I will startle very easily. The dog barking, or the phone ringing or the doorbell ringing will often make me react like a bomb just went off in my house or something.
I still get feelings of dread when my doorbell rings or the phone rings, but it doesn't make me panic at this point in my life. I really just don't like talking to people, so I am guessing that is why....

omigosh, when I first started getting panic attacks, one night my uncle just happened to be walking behind my chair in the litchen and he popped open a soda can tab... I almost went thru the ceiling! The whole family laughed at me, but I swear, it sounded like an explosion or something to me.

oh yes they can sirens going off sets off a panic attack im just now for the past few months started using positive coping skills for this specific situation.when i have specific locations plus specific sounds that are relatedto one event,i find this to be the hardest one to deal with.in the past my family members has goneto great limits to avoid me from this.i know i will have to work on this one very soon.be blessed grammie.