[seeker1950]

I have always been unable to concentrate if there is external sound. While in college, I couldn't go to sleep if someone down the hall was playing a radio, etc. I would NEVER be able to read or study if there was external noise. Much later, I adopted the habit of placing a heavy feather pillow over my head, which I affectionately named my "head pillow," to block out all sounds. One of the things I took with me after my divorce was the head pillow, but it got so I could hear sounds from it, like vermin crawling in it...this was not imaginary...the pillow was very, very old and probably polluted, so I got rid of it. Anyway, does anyone else have the problem of sleeping/studying with sounds interrupting? I miss my "head pillow," and am thinking how I can replace it!

Hi Seeker! Wee little foam earplugs? You didn't mention those so I'm figuring you don't like them. It occurs to me that maybe some people don't like them because they're too effective. Myself I like to fall asleep to a radio that's low enough that I can't pick out speech. Usually late night CBC radio. Mostly news...no music. The unintelligible calm voices are like white noise and it's somehow comforting. Ok when alone...no-one else likes it...heh.

As far as being awake and trying to concentrate to sounds? Sounds are just ONE thing that distracts me. Hell everything and anything distracts me when I'm awake. perhaps I should try the radio white noise thing while I'm doing something that requires focus.

Egad! You've given me an idea!!! I shall experiment with that Seeker! Wow imagine...Canadian dolt discovers way to reduce racing thoughts in ADD patients...small earplug produces low level 'white noise' and reduces brains proclivity to etc., etc., blah, etc....

haha...well I'm going to experiment just the same. Record some stuff like I mentioned or something similar perhaps and have it running on my ipod while i read for example. Or during some normally toilsome task that requires my focus. Odd thing...surely it's already been looked at long ago and found to be negligible in effect. oh well...worth it to amuse myself!

...*yawn* bedtime for me....now where's my radio station??? 'night Seeker!

Oh man, my imagination...i just had to add this as a thought...

Perhaps the dulled unintelligible radio voices are similar to what a fetus might hear when it's closer to term? The rhythms of speech, the muffled droning etc.?

Foolishness? Maaaybe.....

Ok probably....but fun interesting thought. I swear it's a comfort noise for me. Why? I dunno. Been doing this forever to help fall asleep.

Not hijacking your thread Seeker! forgive me...just had to add that afore I go cold junk.

[Leed]

If I'm really trying to focus on something, I DO have trouble with noise. It drives me nuts.

But when I'm trying to go to sleep, having the TV on doesn't bother me, as long as it's on low. I also like those "white noise" CD's that have stuff like ocean sounds, rain forest sounds, thunder, etc. Those put me to sleep.

Not saying you have asperger's, but the symptoms you describe sounds like asperger's.

Sounds really distract me. Reading and working in a noisy environment is impossible. I do most of my work late at night in my apartment, because of the quietness.

The walls are thin in my apartment and I can hear the tenants upstairs, talk and move around. I found my somewhat noisy fan blocks out their sounds, quite well. It has a nice non-irritating dull sound, that does not interfere with my sleep.

My doctor suggested a white noise machine, but I found my fan works just as well. Quizzickle's radio suggestion is a good one, too. Often, I have the radio on low. The television is another. I used to fall asleep with it on, all the time.

These tricks seem to give my apartment fullness. It also leaves me with a sense of privacy. Both equal better concentration and sleep.

[-jimi-]

If rain is soothing to you like it is to me, there are 8 hours of rain sounds on YT, could convert to MP3 and use for earphones or speaker.

White noise is a little like rain, but like rain hitting hard surface. I prefer pink noise, it is more like severe weather and without the sharp hitting sound. I'm the type that sleeps through thunderstorms....

My sensitivity comes and goes. Ticking clocks I could kill. But I have desensitized myself a lot, I talk myself into that some noises don't bother me. Of course it doesn't always work and then the head pillow comes in handy!!!

I'd like earmuffs to sleep with, slightly screening out sound, but I'm not sure how to make them comfortable to sleep with. I bet there is some online store for those things that I haven't found yet... since there really is a market for it.

[littlerunaway]

Originally Posted by seeker1950

I have always been unable to concentrate if there is external sound. While in college, I couldn't go to sleep if someone down the hall was playing a radio, etc. I would NEVER be able to read or study if there was external noise. Much later, I adopted the habit of placing a heavy feather pillow over my head, which I affectionately named my "head pillow," to block out all sounds. One of the things I took with me after my divorce was the head pillow, but it got so I could hear sounds from it, like vermin crawling in it...this was not imaginary...the pillow was very, very old and probably polluted, so I got rid of it. Anyway, does anyone else have the problem of sleeping/studying with sounds interrupting? I miss my "head pillow," and am thinking how I can replace it!

I NEVER leave home without my earplugs. I bought specific ones to drown out loud noises. I have a mouthy preteen and 4 yr. old twins who fight a lot, so I wear them at home and they understand that's when mommy needs a time out.

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by quizzickle

Hi Seeker! Wee little foam earplugs? You didn't mention those so I'm figuring you don't like them. It occurs to me that maybe some people don't like them because they're too effective. Myself I like to fall asleep to a radio that's low enough that I can't pick out speech. Usually late night CBC radio. Mostly news...no music. The unintelligible calm voices are like white noise and it's somehow comforting. Ok when alone...no-one else likes it...heh.

As far as being awake and trying to concentrate to sounds? Sounds are just ONE thing that distracts me. Hell everything and anything distracts me when I'm awake. perhaps I should try the radio white noise thing while I'm doing something that requires focus.

Egad! You've given me an idea!!! I shall experiment with that Seeker! Wow imagine...Canadian dolt discovers way to reduce racing thoughts in ADD patients...small earplug produces low level 'white noise' and reduces brains proclivity to etc., etc., blah, etc....

haha...well I'm going to experiment just the same. Record some stuff like I mentioned or something similar perhaps and have it running on my ipod while i read for example. Or during some normally toilsome task that requires my focus. Odd thing...surely it's already been looked at long ago and found to be negligible in effect. oh well...worth it to amuse myself!

...*yawn* bedtime for me....now where's my radio station??? 'night Seeker!

Hey, Quizz...I have used the foam earplugs, and they work pretty well, but they become uncomfortable after hours of having them in.

Interesting that you mentioned low volume radio. Lately, I hve been falling to sleep with audio books on low volume.

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by jimrat

If rain is soothing to you like it is to me, there are 8 hours of rain sounds on YT, could convert to MP3 and use for earphones or speaker.

White noise is a little like rain, but like rain hitting hard surface. I prefer pink noise, it is more like severe weather and without the sharp hitting sound. I'm the type that sleeps through thunderstorms....

My sensitivity comes and goes. Ticking clocks I could kill. But I have desensitized myself a lot, I talk myself into that some noises don't bother me. Of course it doesn't always work and then the head pillow comes in handy!!!

I'd like earmuffs to sleep with, slightly screening out sound, but I'm not sure how to make them comfortable to sleep with. I bet there is some online store for those things that I haven't found yet... since there really is a market for it.

I like the rain sounds, and I have several different programs that include rain, as well as white noise.
I agree...can't abide ticking clocks.

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by Didgee Eeyou

Sounds really distract me. Reading and working in a noisy environment is impossible. I do most of my work late at night in my apartment, because of the quietness.

The walls are thin in my apartment and I can hear the tenants upstairs, talk and move around. I found my somewhat noisy fan blocks out their sounds, quite well. It has a nice non-irritating dull sound, that does not interfere with my sleep.

My doctor suggested a white noise machine, but I found my fan works just as well. Quizzickle's radio suggestion is a good one, too. Often, I have the radio on low. The television is another. I used to fall asleep with it on, all the time.

These tricks seem to give my apartment fullness. It also leaves me with a sense of privacy. Both equal better concentration and sleep.

I have a floor fan that I'm using right now because it is getting hot here, and I like the way it muffles sounds too! My little dachshund loves to sleep on my bed, but she snores, and the fan muffles here snoring! Yay!

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by Illegal Toilet

Not saying you have asperger's, but the symptoms you describe sounds like asperger's.

I agree, I.T., and I know I do have some of the Asperger's symptons. I think that is why I like the weight of the "head pillow."
I recently posted about ordering a "weighted blanket" which is recommended for people with autism/aspergers.

[No Fuse No Flame]

Sounds don't usually bother my sleep, but noises and sounds are very intrusive and make it hard to concentrate. The one sound that really makes it hard to concentrate is someone pounding on a computer keyboard. I have to mute TV commercials because of this noise, lots of commercials use computer keyboard sounds to validate evrything they sell. Another is people with stereo's so loud it makes everthing vibrate. It sounds like people desperate for attention. I live in a rural area because it's nice and quiet. Most noise I hear is an oyster boat or trawler passing in front of the house.

Originally Posted by seeker1950

I have always been unable to concentrate if there is external sound. While in college, I couldn't go to sleep if someone down the hall was playing a radio, etc. I would NEVER be able to read or study if there was external noise. Much later, I adopted the habit of placing a heavy feather pillow over my head, which I affectionately named my "head pillow," to block out all sounds. One of the things I took with me after my divorce was the head pillow, but it got so I could hear sounds from it, like vermin crawling in it...this was not imaginary...the pillow was very, very old and probably polluted, so I got rid of it. Anyway, does anyone else have the problem of sleeping/studying with sounds interrupting? I miss my "head pillow," and am thinking how I can replace it!

seeker,
i had a friend once who was told by his T that white noise of a fan running at night would help him to fall asleep. he would place a small fan by his bed and this noise helped to drown out his voices at night. My personal preference is for a darkened room, cool to the touch temperature, no caffeine, and as you have noted a quiet environment. there are also many relaxation CD's you may wish to try. some experts also say not engaging in your computer acitivities just before bedtime will help prepare for sleep. a nighttime ritual is imortant and going to bed or retiring for the evening at consistant times each evening. hope this helps.

[Rohag]

Of possible interest:

Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis Network
Hyperacusis.org
Wikipedia

Misophonia (AKA 4S)

Misophonia UK FAQ
Wikipedia