Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To let this infuriate me so much?

9 replies

Crossfitgirl · 22/03/2019 19:27

We live in an end terrace, it's a new build and unfortunately the walls don't seem to be very soundproof and we can hear everything through the wall. The TV, the music they have on (probably at a reasonable volume!) and whenever they have people round or speak loudly.

It's literally driving me up the wall. I can't stand hearing the buzz of the bass of their music for hours at a time on my evenings. The guy owns a record shop, so it's even decent music. But even so, I like to have quiet and can't concentrate when all I can hear is bzzz bzzz bzzz. I don't mind having my own music on but something about an annoying bassy buzz through the wall drives me insane!!

It's not got to the point we have considered sound proofing yet, and I don't really want to say anything to the neighbours as we've only lived here 4 months, don't know them well and plus I don't think they even have things on loud, think it's literally just thin walls.

Why does other people's music noise get to me so much? After an hour I literally want to scream! I get really frustrated and I can still hear it even with our TV on, I just cannot bloody relax or seem to forget about it whenever I can hear it!!

AIBU for letting it get to me so much? Do other people feel the same about this sort of stuff? Is there a way to make myself less bothered about this? Arrgh!

rant over

OP posts:
Adam3322 · 22/03/2019 19:33

used to live in a tower block and it was noise from all sides , used to drive me potty. it wasnt excessive or loud just the constant noise of it used to get to me. the tricky thing is sometimes complaining can make it worse !! its a tough one

HollowTalk · 22/03/2019 20:44

Can you ask them to come round when their music is on? I'm sure they don't realise how much it affects you?

Wooterus · 22/03/2019 21:15

You may have misophonia...it's a thing. Certain sounds (especially repetitive sounds) trigger a Hulk-like rage in me. I know it's irrational but I can't help it!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misophonia

Crossfitgirl · 22/03/2019 21:47

As I say, I don't know the neighbours other than the odd polite hello, inviting them round specifically to complain about noise is a bit much! We've only just moved in.

I feel like I'd be much happier if i just got used to it somehow or learnt to tolerate it. I'm sure they can hear our TV through the wall too.

Although I wonder if they just have a really Good sound system that makes theirs more noisy.

Maybe soundproofing is the way forward. We have a 5 year fix on the mortgage so it's not like we can look for a detached anytime soon, which would be the dream.

OP posts:
badlydrawnperson · 22/03/2019 21:51

YANBU - I suffer from the same issue - luckily not in this house but even though I know it's irrational I can't help being really aggravated by it.

mineofuselessinformation · 22/03/2019 21:52

You could mention that you can hear the bass and ask where the speakers are.
If it turns out they are against the shared wall, you could then ask them politely to move them.

mineofuselessinformation · 22/03/2019 21:53

The other option is to drop several holes in the joint wall and fill any gaps with expanding foam.

TheCanyon · 22/03/2019 21:59

I remember dh coming home with a sound system in our old house, the bass was unreal and it really made me nervous with being in a new build with thin walls. The dh next door was in a ceilidh band so far from quiet.

I would never play music loud enough to annoy the neighbours, unless I was having a party, which we invite them too cause they're bloody awesome (76 and 80yo). We have thick walls, in 5 years I've only ever heard the electrician drilling and their weekly sunday dance if my kids are out and its super quiet.

On the other hand, years ago in a tenement flat the guy downstairs got a sub woofer, we had two under two at the time, I spent hours hitting and kicking his door to get his attention. "Oh, I didn't hear you" aye no shit cuntychops.

I don't know how you broach it though, complain or spend a fortune on soundproofing?

Crossfitgirl · 22/03/2019 22:26

I may broach the conversation when the weather is nicer and we see more of them in the garden and get to know them a bit. I mean, they are watching bohemian rhapsody on at the mo, can hear it clear as day.

I might ask them if they ever hear our telly to establish just how thin the walls are, mention we can hear all their stuff, and maybe find out where their speakers are. I imagine they do have a good sound system given they own a record shop. (I only know this as a friend of a friend knows them!)

I don't want to have to soundproof, OR have an awkward conversation, but if it carries on I'm going to have to at some point!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page