The paradox of using loud music to block out noise...

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So, it seems my only 'option', if I don't want to spend all of eternity on my own, is to go on the busiest and most precarious-looking street ever. It's a trade-off, you see, between sanity and... sanity, or something.

My only option, if I even want to have a single night of sleep in the aforementioned eternity and instead of going batshit insane due to loneliness I do it in honour of noise, is to have heavy metal on, which sufficiently acts as white noise. I'd rather listen to classical music... but apparently, even with the advent of free Internet radio, one needs to be able to 'afford' that, and I just can't seem to fit the "vroooooom"... anywhere within pianos or violins. Too bad.

Well, anyway, the next issue I foresee is that of being suffocated until I die of insanity, because... well, I'm assuming people will complain, and then I have to lower it down sufficiently so they wouldn't be bothered, along with still attempting to instead suffocate the noise outside... which would mash me right in like a sausage in between two buns, or whatever. Ultimately... will I be able to be adroit enough to evade the clutches of madness?! Find out in the next episode!

Er... well, you see my dilemma? Society is so screwed up it has housing right in the lap of constant traffic, but then wouldn't let someone put up their own noise to block out the noise they created themselves. Screwed up... or utterly sadistic.

At any rate, I won't back down from trying to salvage my sanity! I'm already feeling like I'm going to fight a war... but how can I possibly ever find peace, I ask you? What should I do when they come complaining?

To prevent that,

maybe you can try using this?

Issit, I could use them for a few hours but I absolutely can't all day - my ears hurt so much afterwards. And, besides, I need the music for the night too (traffic is ever-lasting!) - so I can't exactly wear those then too, as they'll either break or fall off and I'd probably wake up again. But mainly I can't due to the pain... the only headphones that don't cause pain are the really thin ones usually used with portable players, but those fall off constantly and would probably not be able to block out as much noise as the bigger headphones or speakers could.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPodpYu_Ruo[/youtube]

I use sound recordings like this one for that purpose. Mainly because that works best for me but, as a side benefit, this kind of sound played loudish seems to wake people up less or bother them less than loud music.

there are quite some white noise generators on the market, you can try those.
if that is not an option, many internet sites or stores sell 'enviromental' cds, for just that reason, tracks include tunderstorms, seaside and rainforest rains (both with and without animals).
if even that doesn't work for some reason, there is always the tried-and-true old-fashioned way: a ceiling fan; this makes a constant hum that blocks out most of the weaker sounds (the road outside, if at night when it's calm, the fridge, walking neibourghs...

usually, rain sounds wont bother the other appartments, as those sounds have next to zero wall penetration

Do you have to stay in an urban area? What about a rural location?

Marcia, you should ask that to that which is holding me prisoner! (Metaphorically, of course, as I'm referring to some passive fate that makes me always end up in these situations. I'm practically trapped without being physically trapped and all I can think of is borne out of desperation. I hate people every time they say they'd like to leave rural areas for cities... but I guess everyone wants the opposite of what they have.)

I understand this paradox........I use noise to block out other noise.....I read and study out-loud to block out the noises my mom and sister (when she lived at home) make so that I can concentrate and am not annoyed by the noises. I also play my music loudly (but not too loudly because the combination of my voice and the music is enough to block noise). My music is pop-rocky alternative (like Green Day or Matchbox 20) or songs from musicals or children's songs though...I hate heavy metal.Using headphones continuously is really uncomfortable so I don't do that either.It doesn't bother my mom but it caused a huge amount of conflict with my sister ...thank g-d she moved out...... Sometimes I play the "rain sounds" (as someone else mentioned in the background instead of music......which works too.

Also when I was a kid (and sometimes now) and a loud noise startled me or I heard a noise I didn't like I would scream........sometimes cover my ears and scream but sometimes just...........scream.

daydreamer84, I suppose bands that you've listened to for a long time could work, but heavy metal generally because my mind can't usually understand the vocals, and if I can hear someone speak in a song I'll end up getting distracted due to that then.

Symphonic music is the best but unfortunately most is soft, like classical, and so would have trouble blocking out all the traffic.

Have you tried the small foam ear plugs?
I need to use them to sleep during the day, being a shift worker. You can buy them at most hardware stores and all safety stores.
Buy the softest ones you can to avoid sore ear canals and (important) have someone show you how to fit them.
Found this.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPNPZJingZA[/youtube]

Please, please don't sleep with loud music. You will end up with hearing damage and may have a constant noise in your ears even when it's quiet.

Bill, You beat me to it. I was going to also say, "Have you ever heard of ear plugs?" I use them almost every night during the summer because the outside noises are too loud. Works wonders I sleep great. Took a bit to get used to the plugs in my ears, but I prevailed. Determination can solve a lot.

But earplugs don't completely block out sound and are sometimes not enough....although as Bill's video shows they won't work hardly at all if you don't use them properly (cool video btw). I use foam ear plugs as well....sometimes I use earplugs and play music and hum, sing or read out-loud.

Ok. My main sensory overload is sound, so first I want to tell you I understand the frustration of trying to get sleep.

So now what I have done to cope with the sounds. Because I live a "normal" life with a husband and kids. I also work full time. So here we go. I first started narrowing down the exact sounds that did the most damage to my (we will call it psyche) psyche. if the main problem is sleep. I would lay in bed and try to seperate all the sounds.. name each one.. focus on each one.. drove me crazy.. but keep doing it. once you have named all the sounds figure out which ones were the worst.

Still with me? this is where it gets tricky.. you have to breathe deep through this excersice.

it kinda takes on a mind of its own at this point for me. but the end result is when you figure out the main trigger, and can kinda accept the other sounds. you will see that the ear plugs will block out the main triggers and you will be able to sleep better....

if not.. well there is always tylenol PM...