I think I was already 19 (1994) when I finally discovered Noise. Before that it was Punk, some Metal, Noise Rock and various other music, but I always felt that I wanted something "more intense". Back then I knew nothing about Noise or Industrial. Some mentions of Throbbing Gristle here and there in the magazines I read, but without the chance to actually listen to it. I then came across an article about a project called Merzbow and from the description this seemed to be the thing I was looking for. But it was impossible to get those records anywhere near the area I live. I investigated further though, and tried to remember the names of some of the projects. And then, when I first went to London the end of the same year, I grabbed as many records I could afford - Merzbow, TG, Whitehouse, SPK,... and it was some kind of revelation. Happy memories. Enthusiasm hasn't stopped since then. On the contrary!
Edit: On the topic of making Noise by myself - one or two years before 1994, I borrowed a guitar from a friend and recorded some tapes experimenting with feedback. Also messing with radio sounds/shortwave. As said, back then I didn't even know something like Noise existed. I was just making and recording the sounds I found pleasure in listening to. Recorded very few since then, because I'm absolutely talentless, haha. So most of all, I'm a fan.