Explore a variety of tools and ideas for noise protection and for reducing noise. There are different approaches you can use for different kinds of noise problems.
When faced with noise that is too loud or annoying, the first thing most people think of is —
ear plugs!
Ear plugs are a marvelous invention, a tried-and-true device for blocking noise, whether the goal is to protect your hearing or simply to find some private peace and quiet. They're conveniently small, they're affordable, and you can pop them in or out whenever you need to.
But sometimes ear plugs aren't enough, or just aren't the best solution for a given situation. Fortunately, there are plenty of other approaches you can use, depending on the kind of noise problem you're dealing with.
General Noise Protection Products and Techniques:
These are general solutions that are applicable to a wide variety
Sound masking devices,
including the familiar "white noise" generators. These work by adding to the total sound you hear, "drowning out" the disagreeable noise or unwanted sound.
Noise-reducing headphones and earbuds.
These include noise cancellation products, which use electronic circuitry to cancel out sound waves from environmental noise, and noise-isolating earphones, which physically block out external sound.
Soundproofing.
Soundproofing is a way of engineering your environment using specialized materials so that less sound enters your immediate surroundings.
Specialized Noise Protection Products and Techniques:
Each of these is designed for a very specific source of noise.
If there is a product or gadget that specifically addresses the kind of noise you're dealing with, it might be a more suitable solution than one of the general-purpose approaches above.
Quiet models of noisy products.
Certain home appliances, tools, and vehicles generate a lot of noise. Some manufacturers have developed quiet versions, models that are specially designed to emit less noise. Choose a quiet model and you can reduce noise right at the source.
Special gadgets and ingenious ideas.
In this category are a hodgepodge of clever devices and techniques, each of which addresses a specific source of noise.
Personal Actions to Reduce Noise:
You might need to take more personal action to resolve a noise problem,
especially when neighbors are the source of noise. The action might be as simple as closing a window at night to reduce the noise coming in from outdoors. Other possible actions include:
Adapting your schedule or rearranging your surroundings
Moving to a new home (a last resort!)
Some of these measures can take weeks, months, or even years to accomplish and lead to satisfying results. In the meantime, be sure to
protect your sanity.
One final thing to consider is whether you or someone living with you has a medical condition that affects sensitivity to sound. If so, you'll want to learn as much as you can about it so you can address it to the extent possible and find ways of compensating for it.
