I am the EXACT same way. I've always got the tv on, or the radio. I crochet to noise, read to noise. I hate the quiet. Do you have a radio? Do you have bunny ears for the tv so you can at least get local channels? It doesn't seem like there should be a charge when the thing broke down already. Not fair! Anyway....I feel your pain. Whenever my cable goes out, I flip. And I just have basic.