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My daughter has a condition called hyperacusis[1] defined as, "an abnormal intolerance, a heightened sense of volume and physical discomfort from ordinary, ever

My daughter has a condition called hyperacusis[1] defined as, "an abnormal intolerance, a heightened sense of volume and physical discomfort from ordinary, everyday sounds, which other people can tolerate well." Because of this, I have become so aware of the sheer amount of noise in everyday environments. I remember sitting in a nice, peaceful environment for twenty minutes waiting for the local coffee shop to open. Come 8am they turned on the loud, thumping music. Why, why, WHY? [1] http://www.dineenwestcottmoore.com.au/specialist-services/hyperacusis-misophonia#what-is-hyperacusis http://www.dineenwestcottmoore.com.au/specialist-services/hy...

rhacker 8y ago
I wish there were more people that come to this conclusion. I can't stand busy cities anymore because music bumpers in their cars, people playing TVs loudly with their windows open, people HONKing their car to get the attention of someone in a building, people clicking their cars, people opening and closing their car doors FAR more frequently than necessary.
- insickness 8y ago
  I live in NYC. I've wear earplugs almost everywhere I go.
- tajen 8y ago
  In Sydney I would always avoid the main CBD street (George St). It’s so noisy with cars, it doesn’t only prevent people from talking, but also thinking... It’s a classical case of 3-lane street with busses going 60kmh, with glass buildings on both sides, so as a pedestrian you’re stuck in a resonnance enclosure.
avip 8y ago
Politely asking to turn down the volume is effective, and generally welcome by other customers as well.
- anotherevan 8y ago
  Well yes, that may work in the specific case of music being too loud. Not so much when the noise is just from people talking and moving about and the coffee grinder whirring and glasses clattering and the room is all hard surfaces that amplify all of this. Designing the audible environment can be as important as the visual design.
- teddyh 8y ago
  “How about if I turn it down to a level where it still drives you nuts but you're too shy to complain a second time?” http://dilbert.com/strip/2001-09-20 http://dilbert.com/strip/2001-09-20
  - quickthrower2 8y ago
    Lucky Dilbert gets a cube!
  - distances 8y ago
    Once in a restaurant I asked the staff to lower the volume (and they did) for three times, before finally requesting to turn off the music completely. The comic is right though, at least I do have a mental barrier for asking for such favours even as a customer. I likely wouldn't have asked even once if we weren't the only customers.

rhacker 8y ago

I wish there were more people that come to this conclusion. I can't stand busy cities anymore because music bumpers in their cars, people playing TVs loudly with their windows open, people HONKing their car to get the attention of someone in a building, people clicking their cars, people opening and closing their car doors FAR more frequently than necessary.

insickness 8y ago
I live in NYC. I've wear earplugs almost everywhere I go.
tajen 8y ago
In Sydney I would always avoid the main CBD street (George St). It’s so noisy with cars, it doesn’t only prevent people from talking, but also thinking... It’s a classical case of 3-lane street with busses going 60kmh, with glass buildings on both sides, so as a pedestrian you’re stuck in a resonnance enclosure.

avip 8y ago

Politely asking to turn down the volume is effective, and generally welcome by other customers as well.

anotherevan 8y ago
Well yes, that may work in the specific case of music being too loud. Not so much when the noise is just from people talking and moving about and the coffee grinder whirring and glasses clattering and the room is all hard surfaces that amplify all of this. Designing the audible environment can be as important as the visual design.
teddyh 8y ago
“How about if I turn it down to a level where it still drives you nuts but you're too shy to complain a second time?” http://dilbert.com/strip/2001-09-20 http://dilbert.com/strip/2001-09-20
- quickthrower2 8y ago
  Lucky Dilbert gets a cube!
- distances 8y ago
  Once in a restaurant I asked the staff to lower the volume (and they did) for three times, before finally requesting to turn off the music completely. The comic is right though, at least I do have a mental barrier for asking for such favours even as a customer. I likely wouldn't have asked even once if we weren't the only customers.