Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Jun 22, 2017 18:29:16 GMT
As I'm spending more of my time in doctors' offices and other waiting areas and noisy places (and as, I swear, the world just becomes a noisier place) this is becoming more and more of a problem for me.
I'm in the waiting room at my car dealership, have been here for an hour, will be here who knows how much longer. The muzak system is playing, the TV is blaring, and there are seven small children in here (well-behaved) plus the general conversation of the adults. I have a book I am dying to finish but I cannot tune out the racket. I have my ear buds in my purse, so I popped those in to listen to music, but the music can't drown out the noise, so it basically just adds to the cacaphony.
I know I'm spoiled because I don't have kids or watch loud TV and my home is quiet almost all the time. I'm not inured to racket. But it's starting to become a problem. Do I just go hang out and read books in noisy bars for a few months till I can deal with the noise and concentrate on what I'm doing? Do I have to buy noise-cancelling headphones and carry them everywhere? Ugh.
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Jun 22, 2017 18:33:52 GMT
You can get smaller noise-cancelling headphones that are more like slightly oversized earbuds, instead of the earmuff style. My DH has some he uses to listen to podcasts while he mows the yard.
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Dalai Mama
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Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Jun 22, 2017 18:43:55 GMT
For me, it was a natural coping mechanism I developed after having kids. "Mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy?" - nope, I don't hear a thing.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 22, 2017 18:46:23 GMT
Being a teacher and a parent, this isn't a problem typically (although there are times when I hate the noise too).
I think it is something you have to be exposed to. Just wishing it away won't work.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jun 22, 2017 18:54:51 GMT
Background noise typically doesn't bother me. I can tune it out. As a matter of fact, I was in the waiting room at an auto dealership this very morning waiting on recall work on my car. I'm trying to remember now what the level of the noise was. I guess I did tune it out successfully!
Can you sit outside somewhere? Or even move to a chair on the showroom floor. Either of those areas would possibly be quieter.
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Post by katlady on Jun 22, 2017 18:58:20 GMT
How well I can tune out background noise depends on my mood and level of tiredness. Sometimes I can tune out everything and sometimes everything bothers me. I know that doesn't help you much. I would suggest the noise canceling headphones.
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MizIndependent
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Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Jun 22, 2017 19:05:11 GMT
Ear plugs. Soft, squishy ones. You'll thank me.  |
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Post by peasapie on Jun 22, 2017 19:09:19 GMT
Being around increasingly louder noise will work -- but I'm going to guess you won't like it. I think you would be better off doing what I used to do when I lived in NYC and commuted on busy trains and buses: headphones and pleasant music.
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tuesdaysgone
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Jun 22, 2017 19:18:27 GMT
I could've written this word for word. The older I get, the less tolerant I am. My only coping strategy is to try and remove myself from the situation. I work in a library which is just about the perfect job for me. If I know I'll be in a prolonged loud setting, I will medicate myself.
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Jun 22, 2017 19:29:13 GMT
I find it's like when someone tells you not to think about elephants: that becomes all you can think about.
If I am concentrating hard on something else, it is much easier. So I can read while it is noisy, or concentrate on the music or audibook of my choice, or also crochet is really helpful to kind of detach from the world around me. It does take a bit of practice but it can be done.
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Jun 22, 2017 19:29:23 GMT
I find it's like when someone tells you not to think about elephants: that becomes all you can think about.
If I am concentrating hard on something else, it is much easier. So I can read while it is noisy, or concentrate on the music or audibook of my choice, or also crochet is really helpful to kind of detach from the world around me. It does take a bit of practice but it can be done.
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iluvpink
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Post by iluvpink on Jun 22, 2017 20:08:57 GMT
I'm a mom and work in what can be a loud office at times. Plus our house is tiny and my husband loves to watch the tv with the volume jacked up. I am sensitive to noise and after being married for 25 years and having a 17 yr old dd, I still am not able to block out noise very well. I do use headphones at work to listen to music but it doesn't always work. Good luck though.
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Post by clarencelynn on Jun 22, 2017 21:53:40 GMT
I have issues trying to ignore background noise as well. And I find the idea of wearing noise cancelling headphones/earbuds/listen to music, etc not a good option for me as I want to be aware if someone is actually talking to me (like at work, if I'm listening to music on noise cancelling headphones I wouldn't hear someone come into my office or call my name from down the aisle.) Or if I'm trying to have a conversation with someone and there is loud 'background' noise everywhere around, I find it hard to concentrate. I really just want to tell everyone to "shut it".
Obviously, I'm just validating the OP rather then offering a solution. But I'll love to read further comments to see if someone has a great idea.
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Post by peano on Jun 22, 2017 23:49:56 GMT
I don't think it becomes better with "practice". I have just developed ways of coping with it. My pet peeve is tvs everywhere, so in doctors' offices I tend to use earbuds and play music and at the car dealership, I move out of the waiting room and into the sales department seating area, which has no tv, no muzak, just a receptionist, which I can handle. At the tire place, it's the noise and the horrendous smell so I sit outside on the curb.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 23, 2017 1:01:09 GMT
You might try listening to a white noise track. Often when I want to tune out noise around me, I'll play an ocean waves track. Sometimes rain. I can still hear some noise around but the white noise tracks tend to be a consistent volume, whereas music kind of fluctuates.
It doesn't totally drown out ALL the noise, but it does tend to make me oblivious to most of it. I usually use it when I am working (reading/writing) and need to concentrate but still be vaguely aware of my surroundings.
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scrappyesq
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Post by scrappyesq on Jun 23, 2017 1:14:36 GMT
Earbuds are the only thing that work for me. I have really bad bouts of sensory overload so I always have them with me.
ETA: If I'm someplace where I can't use earbuds I go into a room that I know is quiet (usually the bathroom) or a stairwell for a few minutes to decompress.
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LeaP
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Post by LeaP on Jun 23, 2017 1:28:44 GMT
It is funny that the car dealership and doctor waiting rooms are the two places you mentioned. They would rank at the top of my list of places I hate being stuck. For me, it is not so much the noise as the being stuck part. Usually, I go outside and sit in the shade.
My elderly neighbor's doctor has some medical channel that mesmerizes me and after about ten minutes I start wondering if I suffer from erectile dysfunction, bladder issues and diabetes. I swear it is some kind of experiment in sensory deprivation. No windows, just you, the TV and diseases.
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kauri
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Post by kauri on Jun 23, 2017 2:13:44 GMT
Lately, I make sure I always have a pair of earplugs handy. I have a spare pair of disposable (squishy) ones in every purse I own.
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snyder
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Post by snyder on Jun 23, 2017 2:52:14 GMT
My son always had issues with noisy places such as malls, concerts, trains, etc. I took him to a hearing doctor one time to see if he maybe heard better than normal, thus the reason for the irritation. The doctor told me that it wasn't that he heard better, but it is how the nerves react to the noise. Some of us have more sensitive nerves than others. B vitamins are good for the nervous system. A good B-Complex is what we give grandson that also has the noise issues along with Fish Oil. Can't swear by it working, but he coped with high school much better than he did middle school and that was about the same time we starting having him take those vitamins along with a multiple vitamin. I'm sure this won't help 100%, so I say also use the noise canceling headphones.
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Post by gizzy on Jun 23, 2017 2:59:48 GMT
You can't even pump gas in peace anymore. Ours has the tv with the volume turned way up. Give me some peace already!
Sorry, I don't have any ideas for you.
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michellegb
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Jun 26, 2014 0:04:59 GMT
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Post by michellegb on Jun 23, 2017 9:01:31 GMT
You might try listening to a white noise track. Often when I want to tune out noise around me, I'll play an ocean waves track. Sometimes rain. I can still hear some noise around but the white noise tracks tend to be a consistent volume, whereas music kind of fluctuates. It doesn't totally drown out ALL the noise, but it does tend to make me oblivious to most of it. I usually use it when I am working (reading/writing) and need to concentrate but still be vaguely aware of my surroundings. Exactly this. I simply cannot ignore the noise - I'm just not wired that way. I have worked in a very noisy office the past 6 years and the only thing that really works is the white noise I play in my regular old iPhone earbuds (I don't want to cancel out all noise, but just make what's going on around me less noticeable). I found a great app that I like with adjustable white noise options (Noizio) and it has been so helpful in letting me focus on the job at hand and not what's being said all around me. I picked sounds I love that relax me. I love it! SaveSave |
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Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Jun 23, 2017 15:11:18 GMT
Thanks for all the suggestions, I think a white noise app will be my first stop, and then maybe noise-canceling headphones.
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Jun 23, 2017 15:23:41 GMT
I use Dubs, which are earplugs that filter noise. You can still hear, but it takes the edge off.
I do agree the world seems to be getting louder, though.
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valleyview
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Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Jun 23, 2017 16:24:44 GMT
Mystie, I'm really feeling your pain today. I'm at a doctor's office full of geriatric patients and toddlers. The waiting room has a vaulted ceiling, so everything is loud. Next time I return hear, earbuds or headphones are coming!
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Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Jun 23, 2017 20:51:14 GMT
Mystie , I'm really feeling your pain today. I'm at a doctor's office full of geriatric patients and toddlers. The waiting room has a vaulted ceiling, so everything is loud. Next time I return hear, earbuds or headphones are coming! It's unpleasant, isn't it? Hope you didn't have to wait long! |
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Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Jun 23, 2017 20:52:40 GMT
I use Dubs, which are earplugs that filter noise. You can still hear, but it takes the edge off. I do agree the world seems to be getting louder, though. I swear about 85% of it is the m^#^$%f%#^$%@ing TVs that every single public spot feels the need to have blaring. |
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 23, 2017 21:16:02 GMT
Am I the only pea who hates the sound of white noise! I don't find it soothing at all. I can do rainstorms, thunderstorms,...those types of things. White noise is like when there used to be static on TV, but it feels amplified in volume to me.
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FurryP
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Post by FurryP on Jun 24, 2017 23:28:55 GMT
Mystie, Much cheaper than earphones: I once bought hunters ear plugs at Walmart. Total waste of money! I then took a chance again on these: Mack Hi Viz Shooter's Ear PlugsSuccess!!! These truly, truly work. I can still hear in case of an emergency, but the loud noise is totally drowned out. They are hidden by my hair, so no one is the wiser. I can't recommend these enough.
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Post by birukitty on Jun 24, 2017 23:42:10 GMT
I have problems filtering out noise too. My brain just can't separate it and concentrate on something else. I've tried various forms of earplugs but they never fit. Recently figured out why-I have extremely small ear canals. When I flew to Europe my ENT recommended ear plugs called Earplanes to help with my sinus infection-they make it so it doesn't hurt when you fly. Anyway, I bought those in the children's size and they fit perfectly. Plus they really helped to cancel out noise because they seal really well.
I have some leftover and used them just yesterday to filter out a workman who was here at the house working with power tools to fix a water system in our laundry room-happens to be my desk where my computer is. Could barely hear it once they were in.
I'm not sure I can use them in noisy waiting rooms because I'd have to hear them call my name when it was my turn. Maybe I could use one in my ear, and leave the other open. There is one doctor I usually have to wait 45 minutes to be called back for-that's good reading time for me.
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Jun 25, 2017 5:53:28 GMT
I'm pretty immune to noise but I'm imagining its my upbringing, I lived near a neighbor with sons with a garage band, bear an air force base and also trained myself to fall asleep with a noisy fish tank. In college I almost never went to the library to study. I'm not easily distracted and it's more comfortable for new to study when I'm relaxed. I actually dislike sitting in a sterile library reading, my mind wanders. That being said I tried to read a book while waiting for my son at speech therapy, they had a tv on and one mom gets there early I swear to just sit and relax while her toddlers tear up the place and she screams at them. It was hard to tune that out. My husband asks to observe my son's session just so he can avoid her and advised me to do the same.
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