Anyone got some tips/tricks as to dealing with noise?

[goofieslonglostsis]

Kind of expecting it could very well be a long shot, but one never knows so here it goes!

Noise/sounds is becoming a problem for me more and more. Unexpected sounds, loud, certain types of sounds, certain frequencies all result in an overload reaction of pain and brain short circuit. Obviously tackling some of the imput would be easiest to tackle a lot of the problems.

Unfortunately that is where I'm getting stuck. Any option like ear plugs or earphones that go into the ear have not been helpfull. Because of my syndrome one could compare my body a lot to the fairytale of the Princess and the pea. I am that princess that does feel the pea and suffer the consequences. For any in ear options we've tried so far (incl. custom made options) it will result within no time into "pressure" wounds and infections at best. Some even resulted into short term inner ear damage. In ear seems to be not an option, given how many options I've tried.

So onto options that work more on the outside. Enters the pea again. Have tried loads of options, but again all kinds of problems ranging from contact wounds, infections, neck problem because the weight of some options is too heavy for my neck to deal with, other options result in manipulating posture that results in new problems elsewhere in the body etc.

Not expecting an easy fix, but am wondering if perhaps I might be overlooking something I haven't tried yet. Knowing how many folks are out here that deal with noice/sound issues for a multitude of reasons I reckoned I'ld give it a try.

This is a problem for both the WDW trip (know not to rely on alternate waiting areas since the most time is spent moving around in public spaces) and daily life. I'm the last person to make MY problem someone elses problem. Normal daily life sounds might be a problem for me, but it's not fair or an option to ask neighbours to change their live because of that. Unfortunately did win the jackpot of 2 of my neighbours do pose a problem with soundharrasment. Moving isn't an option and owner tries to get it under control but is talking to deaf ears (oh irony ) and basically very problematic for them to legally enforce to deal with this. So it kind of all adds up. C'est la vie, but it does make it even sweeter if I could find an option that can help me reducing sound imput in a way that doesn't result in other health problems.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Oops, forgot some stuff.

Have been succesfull with some specific sounds to reduce effects a bit by using a combination of self-hypnosis and reiki. Downside of that is the amount of energy it uses up, so can only keep that up for limited times and it doesn't help at all for certain sounds and effect goes out the window as soon as they trigger any brain short circuit.


Options that fully block out all hearing also aren't fully desired. It would leave me (obviously ) unable to hear the medical alarms that can go off and I need to attend to asap. Also hearing helps me navigate crowds like WDW or better put; helps me predict the folks that might be behind me or come dashing in front of my chair from the side. Combined with sight it is an important factor in being able to prevent loads of bumping intos, so it at the same time hearing at WDW is a very helpfull thing for me.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't have any WDW specific ideas, but for inside your house, have you tried white-noise machines (I suspect you could find a CD or MP3 or something to try before putting in the money for a specific white noise machine)? They're surprisingly good at blocking out noises, even ones louder than the machine itself. I have specific noise sensitivities (some relating to volume, but a lot is certain types of noises) and they're okay for me. My experience is that they don't block the noise in the room I'm in, but they block outside noise. If that's something that works for you at home, it's something that could be used at your resort at WDW, at least.

I'll think about the WDW issue. I think I tend to approach it with an offense mind-set and avoid what I can or brace myself for when I know it's coming. I also tend to be with friends and that, weirdly, can help even if I'm not blocking or avoiding noises directly (I think because I'm focusing talking to them and I have to concentrate so hard due to auditory processing issues).

 

[mistysue]

Obviously it wouldn't be a long term solution, but I would try alternating earplugs and noise cancelling headphones while in the park. I am guessing those are some of your options that caused infections and sores with constant use, but would switching it up a few times a day help?

I hope you find a working solution, I go crazy when my ears pop and things just don't sound right. My daughter also has trouble with loud sounds and ear plugs work the best for her but she can't handle having them all the time.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

have you tried just putting some cotton in your ears? it may not block a lot of noise but maybe enough to make it easier to deal with. if you just leave it looser and fluffier, it shouldn't be too heavy or make sores.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Wheeled; I've tried white-noise before and didn't do much. But that's been a while and my problems have worsened since. So will try it again, who knows it might help with some of the new stuff. And let's touch some serious wood but almost always have had an amazingly quiet room at WDW. Once had a above neighbour at CBR that would go into the courtyard and make screaming level phone calls at 3 am, but that was quickly tackled after "reminding" individual of how some folks are on vacation and do not want to hear screaming business phone calls in the night. And last year at BWV had a room overlooking the entry and thus hearing the busses (read; alarms if loading or offloading mobility aid) but luckily that isn't one of my triggers and I ended up being in that room a lot less nights as expected. Ah and let's not forget that night from hell where they had a firedrill and seemed to camp out right out front my door. So far I've been pretty blessed with noise-levels at WDW rooms. Hopefuly it'll hold up this next trip.




Mistysue; thanks for thinking along! Unfortunately it takes very little time for infections and wounds to appear. As little as 15 minutes can result in wounds I then deal with for a month or 3 / 4 to heal. Taking that pea-thing to a whole new level.


Cindy; also appreciate you helping very much. Have indeed tried cotton, both dry and wet, thick and thin. Didn't do anything for my triggers, but same as with the white-noise; some things have worsened since so repeating is worth to see if it might now have some effect.

 

[mistysue]

Mistysue; thanks for thinking along! Unfortunately it takes very little time for infections and wounds to appear. As little as 15 minutes can result in wounds I then deal with for a month or 3 / 4 to heal. Taking that pea-thing to a whole new level.

Oh my. You need a chair with a full surround shield, like the popemobile. I'm going to guess that's not in the budget, so I just wish you luck with figuring out something.

 

[pampam]

I'm surprised someone hasn't invented a helmet or some sort of headgear that would help. But then you say you have tried various things and some of them are too heavy for your neck, so I guess that isn't the soloution. I remember when I had arthritis in my neck and had to wear a neck brace. I was told the head weighs about 10 pounds so adding to that weight could pose a problem. All I can do is send a hug and let you know I care.

 

[lovethattink]

My son has a painful reaction from different sounds and frequencies. He hates wearing them, but we did get earphones for him that block some sound but still let him hear. Usually he'll just put his hands over his ears. At night he sleeps with a Conair soothing sounds with clock radio set to rainfall. There are 10 sounds to choose from.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Oh my. You need a chair with a full surround shield, like the popemobile. I'm going to guess that's not in the budget, so I just wish you luck with figuring out something.

Grin, would seem fitting wouldn't it. My wheelchairs already are full shields when it comes to other physical stuff, but this is a nice new challenge.


Hmm popemobile, might very well be a good contender for the most creative outfit on MNSSHP.

 

[AnnaNonamus]

I don't know if this would benefit your specific issues, but my youngest is Autistic and extremely sensitive to sound. She wears a pair of standard headphones playing low ambient music (stuff like the sound of rain), which he's drown out unexpected sounds, while still being low enough so that she can hear us when needed.

Noise canceling headphones would work better, but the price is high, and I worry that she won't hear us as well.

Additionally, she has other regular music on her MP3- when she gets stressed out, or there is just too much going on around her, she will turn up the column, and put on her own music- sort of like a soundtrack to her own private world.

 

[cobright]

Craft stores sell a 2-part silicone mold making product. You mush the 2 parts together and they quickly set up into a rubberized mold.

The product is soft, flexible, and food-grade.

I would recommend attempting to make a custom fit ear-plug. Generic ear plugs have to exert some sort of pressure against the inside of your ear because they are smaller than the ear canal (so they can fit a wide variety of people). Making an ear plug that is custom fit will reduce the pressure needed to hold it in. This is much like how a custom fit hearing aid is made.

Good luck.