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Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

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Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#11

Post by aintmeit »

ananiochita wrote: post #9
aintmeit wrote: post #3

Are noise levels commonly associated with suicide? If the noise levels around you are those of a bike, a dog, or music, then that's far from loud. In contrast, have you ever visited a construction site? When you say that one of the things you've tried to stifle the noise is earmuffs, I wonder about the way you're approaching this problem. There exist so many noise-cancelling solutions out there, yet you choose to go…

Don't belittle a problem that you don't suffer, it is absolutely real, and yes, drives people to suicide. A similar problem is tinnitus -- not being able to stop noise is crippling and devastating. It's like belittling someone with arthritis, "hey, that's not really that heavy to lift, what's your problem, are you even trying ?"

I can see how you have arrived at the conclusion that I am belittling a problem.

Coping mechanisms are useful. In my experience, self-pity is a symptom of other maladaptive patterns. However, people are free to pick their poison, so for future reference, the OP can solicit only supportive comments by explicitly stating that comments like mine are unwelcome. Hope that helps.

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#12

Post by FearNotDaniel »

rumpelstinkin wrote: post #5
rkagerer wrote: post #2

Way back I used to live in an apartment with terrible noise from above at night. I got pretty sensitive to it over time, to the point I started drafting sketches and ideas for what essentially would have been a "soundproofed coffin". The concept eventually evolved into a helmet design. But I moved out to a quieter place before actually prototyping anything. I was similarly disappointed I couldn't find anything premad…

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out. About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

I'm guessing it's something similar to these, they come in different brand names depending on which country you're in and I can highly recommend them, having tried many different earplugs myself. Much more effective than the foam types and almost as cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/d...

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#13

Post by aintmeit »

rumpelstinkin wrote: post #4
aintmeit wrote: post #3

Are noise levels commonly associated with suicide? If the noise levels around you are those of a bike, a dog, or music, then that's far from loud. In contrast, have you ever visited a construction site? When you say that one of the things you've tried to stifle the noise is earmuffs, I wonder about the way you're approaching this problem. There exist so many noise-cancelling solutions out there, yet you choose to go…

honestly, you are being very arrogant. Loudspeakers pumped out at 120db are far too loud. A dog barking at 100db is far too loud. A motorbike revving at 115db is far too loud. If it happens all fucking day, every fucking day, often for several hours without any pause, it is far too loud. Please stop propagating the myth that it's all in my mind. Would you say it to someone who is being gangraped? Noise pollution is g…

I can see how you would say that I'm propagating a myth that it's all in your mind.

What I did not question was the existence of the noise. Like any health care professional would do, I was asking for an explanation between sound, control, safety, and suicide. Without more information, the conclusions seemed like a non-sequitur, much like how I would want to see how to connect the dots between noise pollution and gang-rape. Hope that helps.

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#14

Post by ananiochita »

aintmeit wrote: post #11
ananiochita wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't belittle a problem that you don't suffer, it is absolutely real, and yes, drives people to suicide. A similar problem is tinnitus -- not being able to stop noise is crippling and devastating. It's like belittling someone with arthritis, "hey, that's not really that heavy to lift, what's your problem, are you even trying ?"

I can see how you have arrived at the conclusion that I am belittling a problem. Coping mechanisms are useful. In my experience, self-pity is a symptom of other maladaptive patterns. However, people are free to pick their poison, so for future reference, the OP can solicit only supportive comments by explicitly stating that comments like mine are unwelcome. Hope that helps.

With all due respect, you immediately question that there is a problem.

Why ?

I take what OP says at face value, there's a problem, can any of us help.

Who are you to judge what's loud for someone else ? Or cold, or hot, or anything else ?

If that's how you reply to a plea for help and information, I'd suggest you don't reply at all.

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#15

Post by rumpelstinkin »

FearNotDaniel wrote: post #12
rumpelstinkin wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out. About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

I'm guessing it's something similar to these, they come in different brand names depending on which country you're in and I can highly recommend them, having tried many different earplugs myself. Much more effective than the foam types and almost as cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/d...

thanks, this is a type I never tried before

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#16

Post by jventura »

rumpelstinkin wrote: post #5
rkagerer wrote: post #2

Way back I used to live in an apartment with terrible noise from above at night. I got pretty sensitive to it over time, to the point I started drafting sketches and ideas for what essentially would have been a "soundproofed coffin". The concept eventually evolved into a helmet design. But I moved out to a quieter place before actually prototyping anything. I was similarly disappointed I couldn't find anything premad…

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out. About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

I use these kind [1][2] of silicone ear-plugs to sleep, although I buy them in local pharmacies. Last week there was a festival where I live, with loud music and DJs at least 4:00 am, and it damped the noise by a lot, enough to let me sleep.

They are a bit uncomfortable to use at first, but I got used to them in 2/3 nights.

[1] https://kathmandu.imgix.net/catalog/product/6/1/61247_earplu...

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Silicone-Earplugs-Reduction-...

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#17

Post by rumpelstinkin »

jventura wrote: post #16
rumpelstinkin wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out. About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

I use these kind [1][2] of silicone ear-plugs to sleep, although I buy them in local pharmacies. Last week there was a festival where I live, with loud music and DJs at least 4:00 am, and it damped the noise by a lot, enough to let me sleep. They are a bit uncomfortable to use at first, but I got used to them in 2/3 nights. [1] https://kathmandu.imgix.net/catalog/product/6/1/61247_earplu... [2] https://www.amazon.com…

thanks

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#18

Post by sethammons »

I was surprised to find out that earplugs can be misused; maybe that is why fingers are more effective than plugs for you. You have to prepare the plugs by gently rolling them (with no wrinkles) into a thinner state so they expand in the ear to form a better seal.

If self harm is a real option, seek help from a professional and/or move. Perhaps sleeping at a friend's house or going camping can provide some relief.

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#19

Post by [deleted] »

rumpelstinkin wrote: post #5
rkagerer wrote: post #2

Way back I used to live in an apartment with terrible noise from above at night. I got pretty sensitive to it over time, to the point I started drafting sketches and ideas for what essentially would have been a "soundproofed coffin". The concept eventually evolved into a helmet design. But I moved out to a quieter place before actually prototyping anything. I was similarly disappointed I couldn't find anything premad…

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out. About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Earplugs as Powerful as Fingers?

#20

Post by rkagerer »

FearNotDaniel wrote: post #12
rumpelstinkin wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks. Unfortunately I've already moved once with noise as the priority and it didn't work out. About the silicon ones, were they the ones which are custom made?

I'm guessing it's something similar to these, they come in different brand names depending on which country you're in and I can highly recommend them, having tried many different earplugs myself. Much more effective than the foam types and almost as cheap: https://www.amazon.com/Macks-Pillow-Soft-Silicone-Earplugs/d...

Yep, those are the ones. I roll one into a ball then push it in.

The silicone deforms to the shape of your [outer-ish] ear canal, and is a bit tacky which helps create a better seal and maintain it through the night. Cheap and worth a shot.

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