I agree. My personal experience is that complaining about the noise makes it more annoying by creating personal conflict - even when done extremely politely and

I agree. My personal experience is that complaining about the noise makes it more annoying by creating personal conflict - even when done extremely politely and respectfully (and, so far, it has never done any good). The best thing is to not focus on the noise (but at the same time, acknowledge it would be better to not have it, and take what steps you can). This is the best way to cope with it, not the best way to solve it. If things are objectively contravening local noise laws (e.g. loud music at 3am on a weeknight), I call the police and don't get upset. - An ordinary fan (white noise) really does help to mask the noise. I was very surprised at this. - I found that objectively looking at exactly what the cause of the noise was helped. Specifically, to methodically list the path the noise travels to me, and in what situations I feel annoyed, and then to consider what I can change about each and what I can't. For example, I found that one window didn't close properly, and the air gap let in a lot of noise. I hung some sheets across the room, and that helped too (perhaps partly a psychological barrier). - I often work in cafes (oddly, that noise doesn't bother me there). - I find that I get lost in my work, and then when it gets hard I become more conscious of the noise, and more annoyed by it. Could it be time for a break? Taking a walk (away from the noise and the work) really helps me. - there was an odd effect that when I did everything within my power to improve my situation to cope with the noise (that is, instead of trying to change others) it really made me feel a lot better. - yes, move. So far, for me, it has made a big difference, but there is still some annoying noise at sometimes. I need to move again; but I do wonder that perhaps there will always be some noise, and it's best to find ways to cope with it myself?