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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that constantly being surrounded by noise is bad for you?

26 replies

crunchymint · 10/04/2018 12:05

I think people need some quiet time for good physical and mental health. Being constantly surrounded by noise, which is more common now, is not good for you.

OP posts:
PasstheStarmix · 10/04/2018 12:07

I agree but do find it can depend on personality type. Some do better with more quiet time than others.

Vitalogy · 10/04/2018 12:09

I agree OP. I used to need the tv on all the time as a sort of comfort blanket. I stopped it, now I savour the peace.

RunMummyRun68 · 10/04/2018 13:13

I agree.... I run alone through woods/fields etc for the solitude

Luckily, peace and quiet is something most of us can seek out and enjoy

TheDairyQueen · 10/04/2018 17:59

Noise is the worst part of my working day, my house is so silent and I love it.

At work I have two individuals in an office of 60 make 99% of the noise, both have dulcet tones that are so intrusive I sit and cry in the car at lunchtime. One also slopes about in her pumps, stomp, stomp bloody stomp from 9 to 5, five days a fucking week Angry

PasstheStarmix · 10/04/2018 20:13

@TheDairyQueen that sounds like my previous place of work. There’s always one or two isn’t there!?! Sad

Original poster
crunchymint · 10/04/2018 20:14

I used to work with a woman with a loud piercing voice. I really feel for you.

OP posts:
TenancyTroublesAgain · 10/04/2018 23:03

I agree. I NEED quiet most of the time. I hate how sensitive and overwhelming I find noise. It makes my life hell.

Even now I'm in bed listening to my TV through earplugs because the background noise of my housemate's chesty cough and constant talking with his door open is grating on me.

HildaZelda · 10/04/2018 23:09

I agree. DH can't go into the kitchen without immediately switching the radio on and can't just sit in the front room, the tv is always on whenever he's there.
I'd like some peace and quiet at times.

SaucyJack · 10/04/2018 23:11

I agree- sadly, my upstairs neighbour's Jack Russell doesn't.

SemperIdem · 10/04/2018 23:15

I don’t disagree. Ever since I was a small child I have enjoyed silence. As an adult I don’t see having music/tv on as “background noise” as being at all necessary. I enjoy both music and tv but actively not passively.

BikeRunSki · 10/04/2018 23:19

I agree. We stayed in a holiday cottage last week, that had no radio, Normally I have the radio on in the background all the time. We ended up spending quite a lot of time in, due to the poor weather, and it took me a while to realise why it was so lovely and relaxing. The DC found a cupboard full of 1970s board games and didn't even have the TV on much.

Onecutefox · 10/04/2018 23:21

can't just sit in the front room, the tv is always on whenever he's there
Hilda, same here. He thinks I am just being fussy by going to another room Hmm

UrgentScurryfunge · 10/04/2018 23:26

I agree. I didn't realise how much I need until I had DCs when all those natural opportunities that I never even knew I took for granted disappeared.Grin

Yes, I need it so much I took up running to get it. Saying that, I like my music and enjoy chance to listen to it on my own terms. I find TV much more intrusive (currently ignoring much grunting and crashing on one of DH's awful action films). I like some silence these days though. I used to find it distracting, but I find it more restful than I did years ago.

Time for the peace of bed, Vin Diesil has his machine gun out now Hmm

bananafish81 · 10/04/2018 23:27

I crave stimulation, so I'm one of those 'have to turn the radio on even if I'm just emptying the dishwasher for 5 mins' people

When going from A to B I always have my headphones on - either music or a podcast. Even just brushing my teeth I'll whack on a podcast on my phone. I find meditation and relaxation at yoga significantly more challenging than physical practice. I get massively fidgety lying there in the quiet and dark.

Boulshired · 10/04/2018 23:29

I have a loud disabled child, the relaxing quiet when he is at respite is the most cherished part. I love silence and can find people who have to fill every second with conversation draining.

Laurel543 · 10/04/2018 23:32

My partner too. Our house is quite open plan downstairs and he will pass though and absent minded my turn the radio on when I am happily getting on with something in peaceful quiet. He isn’t intending to stay in that area, just finds it weird that I’m in there and there is no background noise. When he does it, I ask him how he would like it if I did it back to him by turning off radio he’s listening to as I wander past. If he’s somewhere with no radio he will generally whistle all the time.

Interestingly, I can tolerate physical clutter but not audio no

Laurel543 · 10/04/2018 23:33

Oops!
Not audio noisiness. He can tolerate a lot of audio clutter but can’t abide a mess.

Sevendown · 10/04/2018 23:36

I’m the opposite.

I need noise most of the time.

Marmitesoldiers · 10/04/2018 23:39

I agree excessive noise drives me mad. I would always choose the quiet carriage on a train journey for instance. But I also agree it’s a personality thing too. Some people don’t even notice people whispering, gabbing on mobiles, kicking the back of chairs etc whereas for others like me it’s torture. But those who don’t notice often think people who crave peace are precious snowflakes who should lock themselves in at home. But I think they’re missing the point, I don’t dislike people, and I enjoy a busy cafe, for instance, as opposed to an empty one because it’s more sociable and cosy. But excessive noise is just more stressful than calm and quiet voices.

Octave777 · 10/04/2018 23:40

Yes.

I am really sensitive to noise and it's non stop snd everywhere even if there's no kids or tele on. At home I had air vents/boiler noises/fridge noise/neighbours/cars/dog barking.

Then outside it's traffick and chatter.
Even in a cofee shop it's loud and on top has music. I don't drive so can't just escape easily. I honestly think the lack of peace effects ppl more than they might even realise.

HildaZelda · 10/04/2018 23:41

@onecutefox, half the time he's not even interested in what's on. He just can't seem to realise that you don't HAVE to switch the tv on just because you're sitting in the room.

Bambamber · 10/04/2018 23:42

I disagree, I always need background noise. But then again I have tinnitus so I use it to distract me from that

movpov · 11/04/2018 00:18

I could not agree more. I feel as though whenever I am out my ears are constantly assaulted by noise, whether it's traffic, people having loud conversations on the bus, that tinny music coming out of people's phones, young kids or groups of teenagers especially girls, screaming and screeching. It does my head in and I can feel my blood pressure rising at times and I worry that one of these days I will explode at someone . My house is often silent too and I just love the peace & quiet

MrsLupo · 11/04/2018 01:05

With you, OP. My DP loves to have the radio on even if he's not really listening to it. To me it's like inviting someone to stand in the corner of your room shouting. My real bugbear though is when people use tablets in public places to watch a film or play a game and have the sound up. Loads of kids seem to do this reflexively, as if they've been encouraged to think it's OK and normal. I feel assailed by noise all the time and can't imagine how bad it will be once that generation is grown up. Obviously I realise I'm a grumpy old bat.

MissEliza · 11/04/2018 16:32

I agree but it is a personal thing. My dh grew up in a very busy city abroad and couldn't sleep when we first move to the English suburbs! I also really need quiet after a certain time in the evening whereas my dh could care less. When my ILs are visiting the noise levels at 10pm almost make me want to cry! Btw neither dh or his dps are good sleepers so maybe I'm right.