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I'm learning Python in College, I am not a programmer at all probably never will be but it is fun. When working on a project any noise, any interruption at all

I'm learning Python in College, I am not a programmer at all probably never will be but it is fun. When working on a project any noise, any interruption at all I find extremely distracting to the point I have to stop and collect my thoughts for later. During exams for Python I use earbuds and play a Brownian noise sound file turned up very loud to block out all sounds. It's probably damaging my hearing but it helps. Music has patterns and songs have words both are distracting, classical music is not too bad though it seems to help.

monsieurbanana 9y ago
I've had Bose sound dampening earphones (qc20) and I urge you to buy them or similar. You'll be able to listen to your noise sound file at much lower volume while massively improving efficiency. They are expensive, but if you truly are listening to too loud sounds you need them.
- dghughes 9y ago
  Thanks for the tip, that would make sense. Actually one of my classmates uses noise cancelling headphones in class. Actually in the entire program I've noticed many people use full entire ear covering headphones I bet 80% of the students. Now I know why.
- mamon 9y ago
  Do such earphones cancel just background noise (like street traffic) or are they also effective against human speech? I ask, because the kind of noise I'm most interested in cancelling is my coworker's chit-chat.
  - loco5niner 9y ago
    I have qc20's and they are mostly effective against droning, repetitious noises (think airplane noise). If the chitchat is far enough away, quieter, and random enough (think coffeeshop/library) it helps a lot. If it's a couple of co-workers sitting 6 feet away, it's not going to help enough unless you listen loud enough to damage your hearing. That's my experience, but I already got tinnitus from trying to drown out coworkers and have to keep music very low these days.
badpun 9y ago
Be careful with damaging your hearing. A common side effect is tinnitus, which is basically hearing a constant distracting noise that you basically can't do nothing about. If you're prone to be distracted by noises, and want to do work that requires focus, tinnitus will likely be a life-altering catastrophe for you.
- dghughes 9y ago
  Thanks for your concern but as a kid I had constant ear infections so I have had tinnitus all my life even now a high pitched ring is constant. I don't even notice it unless I think about it I'm so used to it. But the loud static certainly won't do it any good! This tinnitus mitigating trick on reddit somewhat works, it's odd: https://np.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/3l3uri/these_guys_lighting_a_mortar_shell_in_their_garage/cv3474n/ https://np.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/3l3uri/these_guys_light...
cabaalis 9y ago
Try electronic music, or on Spotify there is a "deep focus" playlist. On YouTube and Spotify there is "No Copyright Sounds" which is also this kind of music. I play this stuff all day at work. It sets a tone and keeps that part of my brain entertained but does not invoke distracting emotions (which is what good music is supposed to do.)
- dghughes 9y ago
  I'll give it a shot, thanks for the tip.
qiqitori 9y ago
They let you use headphones and listen to stuff while doing exams? Also, as the other commenters said, do not damage your hearing.

monsieurbanana 9y ago

I've had Bose sound dampening earphones (qc20) and I urge you to buy them or similar. You'll be able to listen to your noise sound file at much lower volume while massively improving efficiency. They are expensive, but if you truly are listening to too loud sounds you need them.

dghughes 9y ago
Thanks for the tip, that would make sense. Actually one of my classmates uses noise cancelling headphones in class. Actually in the entire program I've noticed many people use full entire ear covering headphones I bet 80% of the students. Now I know why.
mamon 9y ago
Do such earphones cancel just background noise (like street traffic) or are they also effective against human speech? I ask, because the kind of noise I'm most interested in cancelling is my coworker's chit-chat.
- loco5niner 9y ago
  I have qc20's and they are mostly effective against droning, repetitious noises (think airplane noise). If the chitchat is far enough away, quieter, and random enough (think coffeeshop/library) it helps a lot. If it's a couple of co-workers sitting 6 feet away, it's not going to help enough unless you listen loud enough to damage your hearing. That's my experience, but I already got tinnitus from trying to drown out coworkers and have to keep music very low these days.

badpun 9y ago

Be careful with damaging your hearing. A common side effect is tinnitus, which is basically hearing a constant distracting noise that you basically can't do nothing about. If you're prone to be distracted by noises, and want to do work that requires focus, tinnitus will likely be a life-altering catastrophe for you.

dghughes 9y ago
Thanks for your concern but as a kid I had constant ear infections so I have had tinnitus all my life even now a high pitched ring is constant. I don't even notice it unless I think about it I'm so used to it. But the loud static certainly won't do it any good! This tinnitus mitigating trick on reddit somewhat works, it's odd: https://np.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/3l3uri/these_guys_lighting_a_mortar_shell_in_their_garage/cv3474n/ https://np.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/3l3uri/these_guys_light...

cabaalis 9y ago

Try electronic music, or on Spotify there is a "deep focus" playlist. On YouTube and Spotify there is "No Copyright Sounds" which is also this kind of music. I play this stuff all day at work. It sets a tone and keeps that part of my brain entertained but does not invoke distracting emotions (which is what good music is supposed to do.)

dghughes 9y ago
I'll give it a shot, thanks for the tip.

qiqitori 9y ago

They let you use headphones and listen to stuff while doing exams? Also, as the other commenters said, do not damage your hearing.