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Just Wear Headphones

mattblodgett.com

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Re: Just Wear Headphones

#31

Post by vonklaus »

AdamN wrote: post #2

I used to use construction 'headphones'. They do nothing but dampen outside noise - no music. It's a pretty good solution ... but a solution to a stupid problem because the right solution is more productive working conditions.

I was thinking this exactly. You could easily use hearing protection equipment like what is typically used in construction. Also, you could sit with your back to the wall instead of to the heavily trafficked area.

However, it raises the question: "Should employees have to solve these problems?". Depending on the office size, a more private setting could be provided for the employees affected.

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#32

Post by erikb »

I work in a 4 people office and already feel it's too noisy, too many people walking behind me etc. Maybe other people are smarter than me, but for me it's not a work environment if I should develop software. But my pay is not connected to my performance so I don't have much to complain about.

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#33

Post by jdietrich »

Use noise-attenuating headphones rather than noise-cancelling headphones. A pair of properly fitted IEMs or a good pair of closed headphones will reduce background noise by ~25dB simply by providing a physical barrier to noise.

The distracting effects of music largely disappear if you listen to repetitive instrumental music - house or ambient music is ideal for this.

If you're concerned about noise-related hearing loss, Canford produce a range of high-quality headphones with integrated limiters. The limiting system was designed by the BBC, to enforce safe noise exposure for employees who use headphones all day.

While I agree that open plan offices are generally a bad idea, I think that OP is rather uninformed about the use of headphones.

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#34

Post by hoggle »

erikb wrote: post #32

I work in a 4 people office and already feel it's too noisy, too many people walking behind me etc. Maybe other people are smarter than me, but for me it's not a work environment if I should develop software. But my pay is not connected to my performance so I don't have much to complain about.

Have you ever considered working remotely?

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#35

Post by rtpg »

masklinn wrote: post #19
dilap wrote: post #5

I'm personally more or less a fan of open offices, but the noise really is a problem and unfortunate -- I wish the social convention were to treat an open office like a library, and louder conversations happened in private offices. In the meantime, I find that using ear-plugging headphones alone with some ear-muffs (for like construction work) over the top of the head, without actual music, is reasonably effective at…

> I'm personally more or less a fan of open offices, but the noise really is a problem and unfortunate -- I wish the social convention were to treat an open office like a library, and louder conversations happened in private offices. Then what's the point of open offices outside of penny-pinching?

You say penny-pinching, but not all companies can afford the office space for all their employees from the get-go.

At least where I work, we do get an implicit understanding of when it's quiet time, and when it's discussion time. Unfortunately the understanding isn't always in sync, but we're most of the way there.

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#36

Post by [deleted] »

jdietrich wrote: post #33

Use noise-attenuating headphones rather than noise-cancelling headphones. A pair of properly fitted IEMs or a good pair of closed headphones will reduce background noise by ~25dB simply by providing a physical barrier to noise. The distracting effects of music largely disappear if you listen to repetitive instrumental music - house or ambient music is ideal for this. If you're concerned about noise-related hearing lo…

[deleted]

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#37

Post by Coding_Cat »

>If you listen to music with earbuds or headphones at levels that block out normal discourse, you are in effect dealing lethal blows to the hair cells in your ears.

I can not have normal discourse with my headphones on, even if they're off. And these are just a pair of normal over-ear headphones (DT-770's).

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#38

Post by WallWextra »

oneeyedpigeon wrote: post #30
Raphmedia wrote: post #22

Wear earplugs and then put your over the ears headphones over them. The sound of your music should still get through (mostly from around the ear, through your skull). I do that with classical music and it makes the music sounds like it's coming from very far. It's very zen. Like sitting in the void while having music come to you from a distant area.

You shouldn't be using earplugs, though - I take it you're talking about something you actually put inside your ear. If you ask your doctor, they'll tell you never to put anything in your ear that's smaller than your elbow (I think it's an in-joke in the medical profession ;-)

There are a lot of things about working in an office that are unhealthy, but you have to do what you have to do.

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#39

Post by vonmoltke »

kstenerud wrote: post #26

"There are permanent physical consequences from prolonged headphone use. The effects accrue gradually, and as such people don’t notice that it’s happening." You don't have to actually drown out the ambient noise; you just have to put enough sound that you control into it such that your brain is lulled into ignoring the totality of sound around you. "People conflate the positive psychological effects of creating a coc…

> You don't have to actually drown out the ambient noise; you just have to put enough sound that you control into it such that your brain is lulled into ignoring the totality of sound around you.

That depends on who is using the headphones. I can't not pay attention to any sound I hear. My brain is very good at filtering discrete signals out of backgrounds.

Re: Just Wear Headphones

#40

Post by kylec »

I completely agree, especially about the feeling of vulnerability. It's apparently something that not everyone experiences, but there's no way I'm going to wear something that removes my ability to hear someone walking up behind me.
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