Noise & Vibrations

[caroline_13]

Anyone else have a hard time with noise & vibrations? I have a really hard time and always panic when neighbors surround sound comes through my walls.

I'm at my wits end and it seems like this problem always reoccurs.

My apt. management is not particularly helpful and I just feel so overwhelmed by life already, idk what to do. I just panic when I hear the music and I am honestly scared to go ask them to stop it.

 

[Charbella]

Maybe you wearing noise canceling headphones? Sound machine by the wall it’s coming from?

I struggle with noise too but if I know to expect it it’s not so bad. My upstairs neighbors will be noisy in the evenings I know this and plan accordingly. My new neighbors dog barking for hours at odd times is new so it puts me over the edge. Sometimes I text her and ask if she’s going to be gone long, if not I tough it out but if she is then I go out myself.

I don’t know that I’ve noticed vibrations on their own, most of the time I associate vibration with the noise they cause.

When my symptoms are up the noise almost puts me over the edge when my symptoms are low it takes a lot to do so. I’ve also noticed if I can tune into it and know what is causing it then it doesn’t bother me as much.

 

[arfie]

i second the suggestion of noise canceling headphones and/or white noise (sound machine).

i have hearing issues, so i avoid noise sensitive people out of courtesy. i am severely handicapped in knowing what will set them off, so it seems better for all to maintain safe social distances. however, those same hearing issues make me uber sensitive to vibrations. those are much tougher to override. i can feel a car door slam in the parking lot and there are no vibration cancelling headphones. the meanest vibrations are the woofers which are popular among the rap fans. i find someplace else to be when the woofers are woofing.

my brass ovaries are fully equal to knocking on doors with requests for courtesy, but it doesn't get me far. woofers will woof and i solidly believe the woofer fans enjoy bothering people. and they call ME crazy? methinks i've noticed them keeping score at stop lights. have i made my nuisance quota for the day?

 

[Weemie]

Ya, I have misophonia and sensory processing so I wear headphones and listen to music and TV 24/7. Funny about it is I'm SSD/SNHL so I have a pretty significant hearing impairment but apparently that can mess up the sounds you do hear and somehow makes you more sensitive to things. I can't make out the TV without subtitles but I can hear the fizz in a can of pop downstairs and I want to scratch my eyeballs out.

 

[caroline_13]

i second the suggestion of noise canceling headphones and/or white noise (sound machine).

i have hearing issues, so i avoid noise sensitive people out of courtesy. i am severely handicapped in knowing what will set them off, so it seems better for all to maintain safe social distances. however, those same hearing issues make me uber sensitive to vibrations. those are much tougher to override. i can feel a car door slam in the parking lot and there are no vibration cancelling headphones. the meanest vibrations are the woofers which are popular among the rap fans. i find someplace else to be when the woofers are woofing.

my brass ovaries are fully equal to knocking on doors with requests for courtesy, but it doesn't get me far. woofers will woof and i solidly believe the woofer fans enjoy bothering people. and they call ME crazy? methinks i've noticed them keeping score at stop lights. have i made my nuisance quota for the day?

I've thought about slipping a note in their door to tell them how much it bothers me. But then I'm scared it won't stop and I'll feel even worse because I made myself more vulnerable. This may be "living in fear," but there also may be truth to it.

I do use fans and apps on my phone, already.

The way you sound almost casual about it DOES make me feel better in and of itself. AS though there is an another options to my fits of fear and panic that come when I even think about this.

Years ago, I tried doing EFT exercises (body tapping), it helped a bit. But there's something more under it.

I've also tried visualizing that the loud noise and vibrations scare away the evil spirits, as in the Legend of Nian. Legend of Nian - Chinese Customs

Still working on this: maybe I should do a DBT worksheet on it and/or set up an altar presentation to honor the discomfort.

 

[caroline_13]

Ya, I have misophonia and sensory processing so I wear headphones and listen to music and TV 24/7. Funny about it is I'm SSD/SNHL so I have a pretty significant hearing impairment but apparently that can mess up the sounds you do hear and somehow makes you more sensitive to things. I can't make out the TV without subtitles but I can hear the fizz in a can of pop downstairs and I want to scratch my eyeballs out.

I just don't know that I could get used to wearing headphones all the time.

It's good to hear what others do, though.

I'm really having a flashback when this has happened, I go full on panic.

Maybe you wearing noise canceling headphones? Sound machine by the wall it’s coming from?

I struggle with noise too but if I know to expect it it’s not so bad. My upstairs neighbors will be noisy in the evenings I know this and plan accordingly. My new neighbors dog barking for hours at odd times is new so it puts me over the edge. Sometimes I text her and ask if she’s going to be gone long, if not I tough it out but if she is then I go out myself.

I don’t know that I’ve noticed vibrations on their own, most of the time I associate vibration with the noise they cause.

When my symptoms are up the noise almost puts me over the edge when my symptoms are low it takes a lot to do so. I’ve also noticed if I can tune into it and know what is causing it then it doesn’t bother me as much.

This is interesting, I feel that "expecting" it or not knowing when it will occur makes me continually on edge.

I guess I'm saying the vibrations with the noise bothers me more than the noise alone (i.e., no bass.)

When my symptoms are up, I struggle so much; but when I'm feeling great already, it's not as bad.

 

[arfie]

Years ago, I tried doing EFT exercises (body tapping), it helped a bit. But there's something more under it.

I've also tried visualizing that the loud noise and vibrations scare away the evil spirits, as in the Legend of Nian. Legend of Nian - Chinese Customs

Still working on this: maybe I should do a DBT worksheet on it and/or set up an altar presentation to honor the discomfort.

on the veteran's administration roster where i have received the bulk of my therapy, i "graduated" to "therapy maintenance" around 2k. the damage to my psyche was sufficient that i don't expect to ever be "cured." i've had plenty of time to grow that casual acceptance and it sure is a time saver. the less time i spend on the pity pot and/or fighting mother nature, the more efficiently i can get to the old toolbox and/or creative experimentation.

my personal renditions of every single one of these approaches are in my own tool box. this multiply certified nutjob thinks you ought to continue the experimenting. don't be afraid of creative customization. the more personally customized, the more of you it reaches. just opining. . .

 

[Sideways]

I guess I'm saying the vibrations with the noise bothers me more than the noise alone (i.e., no bass.)

This is really helpful information to have up your sleeve. Not only do you now have good insight into the types of things that could possibly set off your anxiety in everyday situations (trains? Noisy and vibrations...cool, so I need to prepare ahead of time for that!), it also gives you some insight into the types of sensory relief you might need to target for you as an individual.

As well as addressing the sound, what can you do to relieve the vibration? Something tactile maybe? I love a bubbly hot bath with music playing - tactile and noise (and smell, which is a big one for me).

Makes perfect sense that tapping would provide some relief, hey!? It's crazy how useful small bits of info about ourselves can be - weaponise that knowledge to your own advantage!!

When my symptoms are up, I struggle so much; but when I'm feeling great already, it's not as bad.

Yep. Stress cup. For me? I monitor my SUDS throughout the day. And I include activities that help empty out my stress cup every day as though it's essential medication (it basically is!). So for me, that's nutritious meals at regular intervals, daily aerobic exercise, and good sleep.

They don't, on the face of it, make me feel instantly better. But that's not the goal. The goal is helping me cope with everything else, and if I remove any one of those things? My ability to cope with everything else is very significantly diminished.

Because yeah, most neighbours won't stop using their sound system just because we have a mental illness. But learning how to manage that stressor? Gives you tools you can replicate to manage any stressor, anytime.

 

[caroline_13]

This is really helpful information to have up your sleeve. Not only do you now have good insight into the types of things that could possibly set off your anxiety in everyday situations (trains? Noisy and vibrations...cool, so I need to prepare ahead of time for that!), it also gives you some insight into the types of sensory relief you might need to target for you as an individual.

As well as addressing the sound, what can you do to relieve the vibration? Something tactile maybe? I love a bubbly hot bath with music playing - tactile and noise (and smell, which is a big one for me).

Makes perfect sense that tapping would provide some relief, hey!? It's crazy how useful small bits of info about ourselves can be - weaponise that knowledge to your own advantage!!

Yep. Stress cup. For me? I monitor my SUDS throughout the day. And I include activities that help empty out my stress cup every day as though it's essential medication (it basically is!). So for me, that's nutritious meals at regular intervals, daily aerobic exercise, and good sleep.

They don't, on the face of it, make me feel instantly better. But that's not the goal. The goal is helping me cope with everything else, and if I remove any one of those things? My ability to cope with everything else is very significantly diminished.

Because yeah, most neighbours won't stop using their sound system just because we have a mental illness. But learning how to manage that stressor? Gives you tools you can replicate to manage any stressor, anytime.

Bathroom is right next to the loud wall. I also depend on a lot on my ability to run my own schedule...

and I worry I can't get a good's night sleep bc of the noise.

BUT, what helps: eating my vegetables, having only 1 cup of coffee a day, yoga, dance, walks

finding my own joy

 

[caroline_13]

This is really helpful information to have up your sleeve. Not only do you now have good insight into the types of things that could possibly set off your anxiety in everyday situations (trains? Noisy and vibrations...cool, so I need to prepare ahead of time for that!), it also gives you some insight into the types of sensory relief you might need to target for you as an individual.

As well as addressing the sound, what can you do to relieve the vibration? Something tactile maybe? I love a bubbly hot bath with music playing - tactile and noise (and smell, which is a big one for me).

Makes perfect sense that tapping would provide some relief, hey!? It's crazy how useful small bits of info about ourselves can be - weaponise that knowledge to your own advantage!!

Yep. Stress cup. For me? I monitor my SUDS throughout the day. And I include activities that help empty out my stress cup every day as though it's essential medication (it basically is!). So for me, that's nutritious meals at regular intervals, daily aerobic exercise, and good sleep.

They don't, on the face of it, make me feel instantly better. But that's not the goal. The goal is helping me cope with everything else, and if I remove any one of those things? My ability to cope with everything else is very significantly diminished.

Because yeah, most neighbours won't stop using their sound system just because we have a mental illness. But learning how to manage that stressor? Gives you tools you can replicate to manage any stressor, anytime.

I have raised these issues with my apartment management, and the neighbors have denied it. Incidentally, a few weeks ago they claimed it was not them bc they were not home and I was able to prove they were lying because my friend had knocked on their door and then they turned the music down.

There is a part of me that thinks (and I KNOW this is from being abused...) that no one else would be bothered by this. I am also sensitive... so there is that. But I am slowly coming to accept that I am okay in drawing the line here.

I have to tell you, it is so hard. My higher self, or what I think of as my higher self, wants me to take days off in between writing response emails to management so I don't come across even a little ticked off. It's like they believe them (although they have a proven history of lying to management on this issue) and not me. It feels so DEMEANING. Like when I was abused and would question and requestion every little feeling I had because I was always being cut down.

I am still confused, but less confused than I have been in the past. I am confused about if I get to stand up for myself and in being able to assert myself. I am scared, people, it is scary. I am crying.

I really hate the conflict and always feel to blame.

But at least I recognize that I am *more* accepting of myself than I've been in the past.

 

[EveHarrington]

I’ve found that making noise back at the neighbors is more effective then asking them kindly. I asked the downstairs neighbors and they turned it down slightly. When I pound on the floor they shut it off pretty fast. Same with the upstairs neighbor. I swear the kid has ADD as he’s up running around past midnight and then up again by 6 am, and it’s constant running. I asked them nicely to stop, and nada. When I got on my ladder and pounded on the ceiling in a VERY exaggerated way with a mallet, for over a minute, they finally got the message and it sounds like they took the damn kids shoes off (FINALLY!!!!!!) The last lady who lived up there was 350+ pounds and made less noise (even the dad stomps around, it’s ridiculous). My belief is that a woman asking nicely gets no result. Pounding back means it could be a man doing the pounding! None of the adjacent neighbors knows that there’s no man in my apartment.

 

[Hallowean]

Anyone else have a hard time with noise & vibrations? I have a really hard time and always panic when neighbors surround sound comes through my walls.

I'm at my wits end and it seems like this problem always reoccurs.

My apt. management is not particularly helpful and I just feel so overwhelmed by life already, idk what to do. I just panic when I hear the music and I am honestly scared to go ask them to stop it.

Yep at my wits end here as well. I don't understand some people. I would never, just NEVER, torment someone like that. If there are other close by neighbors, send an anonymous letter to speaker neighbor asking them to turn the music down. If there is a landlord contact him/her. I asked both my neighbors in person multiple times to control their dogs to no avail. They probably don't like me much but that's OK the feelings are mutual. I hope the problem has been resolved or will be soon for you. I fully feel your pain.