White noise generator
I have some stupid neighbours in the apartment below me who insist on speak really loudly during the late hours of each weeknight. What's worse is that their noise comes out as light murmurings that are just loud enough to hear, but too random to filter out, and of the wrong pitch for my earplugs to block them. What aggravates the situation is that I'm a really light sleeper (but not suffering from insomnia).
I've brought up the issue with them, but they refuse to budge. Seeing as the complaints process is long and tedious, and could actually be counter-productive, I'm not inclined to go this route now. The desired end-state is for me to get a good night's sleep, which could take a while.
Being a light sleeper, I need either absolute silence, or some very smooth, consistent background noise to sleep.
Since the noise my neighbours make is light, I figure I can drown it out with some consistent white noise. My fan doesn't really do the job, since the noise isn't smooth enough.
Does anybody know of any reasonably cheap device or appliance that I could get that would produce white noise sufficiently loud but smooth enough to drown out the annoying light murmuring from below? I'm wondering if another type of fan would do the job, or something that hasn't occurred to me.
Yeah, I know I'm probably a wimp for not slagging off my neighbours, but I need a quick solution to keep me from turning into a 6 hours (or less) sleep a night zombie.
I've brought up the issue with them, but they refuse to budge. Seeing as the complaints process is long and tedious, and could actually be counter-productive, I'm not inclined to go this route now. The desired end-state is for me to get a good night's sleep, which could take a while.
Being a light sleeper, I need either absolute silence, or some very smooth, consistent background noise to sleep.
Since the noise my neighbours make is light, I figure I can drown it out with some consistent white noise. My fan doesn't really do the job, since the noise isn't smooth enough.
Does anybody know of any reasonably cheap device or appliance that I could get that would produce white noise sufficiently loud but smooth enough to drown out the annoying light murmuring from below? I'm wondering if another type of fan would do the job, or something that hasn't occurred to me.
Yeah, I know I'm probably a wimp for not slagging off my neighbours, but I need a quick solution to keep me from turning into a 6 hours (or less) sleep a night zombie.
Comments
I have some stupid neighbours in the apartment below me who insist on speak really loudly during the late hours of each weeknight. What's worse is that their noise comes out as light murmurings that are just loud enough to hear, but too random to filter out, and of the wrong pitch for my earplugs to block them. What aggravates the situation is that I'm a really light sleeper (but not suffering from insomnia).
I've brought up the issue with them, but they refuse to budge. Seeing as the complaints process is long and tedious, and could actually be counter-productive, I'm not inclined to go this route now. The desired end-state is for me to get a good night's sleep, which could take a while.
Being a light sleeper, I need either absolute silence, or some very smooth, consistent background noise to sleep.
Since the noise my neighbours make is light, I figure I can drown it out with some consistent white noise. My fan doesn't really do the job, since the noise isn't smooth enough.
Does anybody know of any reasonably cheap device or appliance that I could get that would produce white noise sufficiently loud but smooth enough to drown out the annoying light murmuring from below? I'm wondering if another type of fan would do the job, or something that hasn't occurred to me.
Yeah, I know I'm probably a wimp for not slagging off my neighbours, but I need a quick solution to keep me from turning into a 6 hours (or less) sleep a night zombie.
not sure if there is a mac version of it, but check out "BrainWave Generator" google it. It is rather useful.
Beyond that, you could try Garage Band, and simply tweek one of the software instruments (read: synths) to generate the sound you want, set it on continuous loop, and rack out.
not sure if there is a mac version of it, but check out "BrainWave Generator" google it. It is rather useful.
Beyond that, you could try Garage Band, and simply tweek one of the software instruments (read: synths) to generate the sound you want, set it on continuous loop, and rack out.
oh, sorry, almost forgot the smart-ass remark: Buy a house.
That was until last summer, however. Some kids two condos down were having a little party in the middle of finals week and were way too loud outside. I told them to take it inside if they wanted to keep the party going. They went inside and about 5 minutes later they came back out. After that, I simply walked downstairs and turned on my hose and sprayed the shit out of their little party across the patio. Needless to say they haven't had a party since...
Other than that, I'm not really sure there's anything that would drown out that kind of noise. The gigantic floor fans that should only be used in airplane hangars happen to be the closest thing to alleviate the problem. (Other than water of course.
homemedics very easy works wonderful and cheap about 12$ internet
radioshack sells one for 20 bucks and is wall or battery powered also works great and is very compact.
both give you about 6 choices and the white noise has enough pops and variations so that typical house noises that are random are masked verywell, even my squicky shoes both my little girls are light sleepers and these are godsends.
Maybe I should get one of these instead:
I have the same problem too Java, mostly because my windows are 30 years old and don't drown out any noise whatsoever. When neighbors in the other condos have parties or late night activities, I can hear every word they're saying. I've tried almost everything from turning on a high-powered fan to screaming, "Shut the fuck up!". Nothing seems to work.
That was until last summer, however. Some kids two condos down were having a little party in the middle of finals week and were way too loud outside. I told them to take it inside if they wanted to keep the party going. They went inside and about 5 minutes later they came back out. After that, I simply walked downstairs and turned on my hose and sprayed the shit out of their little party across the patio. Needless to say they haven't had a party since...
Other than that, I'm not really sure there's anything that would drown out that kind of noise. The gigantic floor fans that should only be used in airplane hangars happen to be the closest thing to alleviate the problem. (Other than water of course.
Being a light sleeper, I need either absolute silence, or some very smooth, consistent background noise to sleep.
Take 3 mg of melatonin before bed time. I take the tables that dissolve under the tongue. It works faster. Zzzzzzzzz. . .
Take 3 mg of melatonin before bed time. I take the tables that dissolve under the tongue. It works faster. Zzzzzzzzz. . .
A carefully dosed hit of carbon monoxide aught to do the trick also... ;D (j/k, DON'T do that!)
Consider these facts before you invest in any white noise machine, sleep machine, white noise maker or generator for home or office, and why Pure White Noise® brand of audio files are a much better way to obtain the benefits of white noise:
White Noise Generators
we use two
homemedics very easy works wonderful and cheap about 12$ internet
radioshack sells one for 20 bucks and is wall or battery powered also works great and is very compact.
both give you about 6 choices and the white noise has enough pops and variations so that typical house noises that are random are masked verywell, even my squicky shoes both my little girls are light sleepers and these are godsends.
i vote homemedic we've used it for our kids for 6 years, simple, press one button and bingo goes all night or you can set it for a few hours. the radio shack (we also have that) we use for travel, but some at wallmart don't have "continuous" play, so only lasts no more than 2 hours
http://www.hairersoft.com/AmadeusPro/AmadeusPro.html
There are some relaxing CDs that are useful, too; white noise, to be honest, can be equally annoying. Personally, I have tinnitus and have tried a variety of techniques to mask it. Pumping white noise into the ears is almost as maddening after a couple of hours as the tinnitus The noise of a mountain stream works wonders, especially as it is relatively rhythmic, yet random. There are plenty of Cds out there, or make your own of a stream that suits your tastes.
Grab a half-decent audio recorder such as the Zoom H4 and have a nice afternoon by a stream while you record. Plop it on to a Cd when you get home and you're set.
You could also try some super headphones, but they won't let you sleep too well; they'd do better before you go to bed to set up a quiet space:
http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/woi3ammu.html
I'm looking at these right now as I have a noise problem at home, too, but it is a machine of some sorts (haven't isolated the exact cause yet; sounds like a ferry is docked about 200 meters up the way with its engine running 24/7; nobody else seems to hear it to the point of distraction so nothing is getting done about it). Have a pair of general construction ear muffs and they do wonders, but leave me alone with the tinnitus so I can only use them for short periods.
As to your room, you could add a thick carpet with a solid backing. also add a little mass here and there that will help absorb the noise.
C
Sigh. Ya'll are responding to a a two and a half year old question that got bumped by spam.
yes, you are correct. It's fun to go back and add new perspective to an old question from time to time.
C
I have some stupid neighbours in the apartment below me who insist on speak really loudly during the late hours of each weeknight. What's worse is that their noise comes out as light murmurings that are just loud enough to hear, but too random to filter out, and of the wrong pitch for my earplugs to block them. What aggravates the situation is that I'm a really light sleeper (but not suffering from insomnia).
I've brought up the issue with them, but they refuse to budge. Seeing as the complaints process is long and tedious, and could actually be counter-productive, I'm not inclined to go this route now. The desired end-state is for me to get a good night's sleep, which could take a while.
Being a light sleeper, I need either absolute silence, or some very smooth, consistent background noise to sleep.
Since the noise my neighbours make is light, I figure I can drown it out with some consistent white noise. My fan doesn't really do the job, since the noise isn't smooth enough.
Does anybody know of any reasonably cheap device or appliance that I could get that would produce white noise sufficiently loud but smooth enough to drown out the annoying light murmuring from below? I'm wondering if another type of fan would do the job, or something that hasn't occurred to me.
Yeah, I know I'm probably a wimp for not slagging off my neighbours, but I need a quick solution to keep me from turning into a 6 hours (or less) sleep a night zombie.
Play back speeches by Sarah Palin or Newt on a speaker when you go to bed.
yes, you are correct. It's fun to go back and add new perspective to an old question from time to time.
C
I think we should ask JavaCowboy if he still has noisy neighbors and if he still hasn't figured out what to do (two and a half years later).
If so, my perspective would be that JavaCowboy is really, really, really slow to take action.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/7443/noise-x
If your willing to part $3 and the cost of shipping, rip this
Amazon Search: "Dreamsurf ~ Ocean Waves for Relaxation [CD]
Reflections of Nature (Author)
This is realistic and varied surf waves, so it might keep you up.
Sleeping with the TV on works sometimes too.
Eat a couple of fattening buttery cookies (like Danish butter cookies) and a glass of warm milk about a half hour before you need to go to sleep. It diverts the blood from the brain (not all of it of course) to digest the fat and helps you sleep as it takes you mind off things. Do set your alarm cause your body clock might not work as expected.
Plan on moving and find out when they sleep. When your about a week before leaving, reply in kind.
A small constantly barking dog really annoys the neighbors to no avail, better yet, a rooster.
Oh sweet jesus! Come back a few weeks later and let a few roosters and chickens loose in the yard near a big shady tree, leave out some rice or corn and water so they stick around.
Watch the fireworks!! LOL!!!
Since you in the upstairs apartment, your likely causing a lot of noise unknowingly just by walking around and then asking your neighbors to be quiet. They think your crazy likely.
Some suggestions:
1: Take off your shoes when you enter, guests too. Walk on your toes, not your heels, makes a huge difference.
2: Use carpet with padding
3: Use one of those sweeper pad things instead of a vacuum cleaner on wood floors
4: Avoid rolling or floor banging objects like chairs and such
5: When they are home, be extra cat like quiet, use headphones for your stereo needs
6: Monitor your noise level with a meter so you can get a idea what sound levels travel through the walls and floors.
7: Make so little noise and be unseen by your neighbors that they think you went on vacation or something
Tell your neighbors you are trying to ultra quiet and ask them if they would keep the noise level down after a certain time, like 9 PM or something. It will shock them that you have been there all the time and they may respect your request in kind.
If not, then well, get the roosters... and a tiny barking dog....