I'm having the sound problem too and being unable to play the game is really getting on my nerves. I'd really like to find out what's the cause. It's weird that out of all the other Sims 3 forums out there this is the only one where more than 2 people have reported it. I'm pretty much out of ideas but I thought I could as well ask a couple of questions to find out if there are any similarities between the players who are encountering the glitch.

Where did you guys buy your game? I bought the Origin Key from GameKeys.com. Do you have the Limited Edition? I have it, but I failed to get the Island Survivor bonus pack. Are you always signed it with your EA account while you play? I'm never.