Loud noise before falling asleep

Yes, I have. Thought it was something to do with my tinnitus. It might also have been a car door slamming, so I wasn't very worried about it. It's not a regular occurrence, but I have had it more than once.

Yes, BueSky, like the crack of a whip. I haven't experienced it for a while but I know exactly what you mean and also what it sounds like as it gives you a jolt.
It is reassuring to know that there's nothing" going on " .

"Exploding head syndrome". Apparently it is very common and not serious. Very unsettling though!

I get that occasionally. Very odd, but so am I

I've occasionally experienced this. It's astonishingly loud! Also I've heard a door bell ringing, also very loud so I know it's not my own one ringing at 2am!

Rockgran 'Exploding head syndrome' that's it! That's how it felt and unusually for me I didn't worry, I just googled it in the morning!

Yes, I also thought it was something to do with my tinnitus

This has also happened to me and often makes me jump. I thought it was only me!

Yes!! A few times...freaky...
Glad it's not just me!!!

I am always hearing( or thinking I hear) knocking on my door during the night.

Yes, it's happened to me, too.
And sometimes I'm woken by the phone ringing - just one ring - rather than the doorbell. I've checked to see if anyone has phoned, but they haven't.

I get the (imaginary) doorbell just as I'm waking up or going to sleep. But I don't hear the phone if it rings in the real world.

Yes I've had this, we've had a thread going before. Mine was a mechanical sound, quite loud too.Went on for a while then stopped, I have tinnitus now, so wonder if it was the beginning of that.

No but often “fall” waking with a start.

Oh yes, I have tinnitus, too.