Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution and the Illusion of Privacy


An irritating cacophony assaults us from every direction. Some noises are easier to ignore than others. Some of it is just being unaware they are annoying and some is just disregard for others. Aside from asking them to please quiet down, which is only semi-practical especially if they have kids; which my current neighbors do, there are some things that can and have been used to reduce ambient noise that could help.



Affect Me

Noisy Neighbor # 1 biggest effect … either side of home
Lose sleep
Pisses me off

Annoy me

Make for resentment …
even when I know it isn’t personal Interferes with effective study time
occasionally Forces me to go somewhere else



Traffic #2 effect

Honking horns/yelling out window …
The DODO effect
Awakens me sometimes
Garbage truck the worst


Pedestrians #3 effect

Loud talkers Could be inhibitions are down
Just like everyone to know they are important/or think they are
Just being silly


Trains #4 effect … 4 blocks away
More use to it than I was before


Affect Others
Probably similar to myself
I don’t’ have kids though


Subtle Factors
Hard to control actions of others
Noise Ordinances don’t work for business/daytime hours


Past Strategies
Ordinances
Physical Barriers Fences Hedges
Rugs/carpets
Foam wall coverings/noise block
Newer windows
Counter Sounds Water fountains Fans Sound machines Noise-canceling headphones