What if the apartment you just rented is perfect in every single way...except it's facing a busy street? A friend of ours is in this situation now: his new apartment is fantastic except for the noise early in the morning from commuters trying to hop on the 110.
So we're trying to come up with solutions that would at least dampen the sound that isn't too ugly (ie, foam egg cartons, cardboard, and tape). We've heard good things about this white noise machines, anyone use one of these? Have any other solutions to eliminate traffic noise?
The Sound Oasis white noise machine is available at SleepWellBaby.com
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Comments (11)
I love my noise machine. I can't sleep without it. It muffles everything!
Well, it's always worked for my child, ever since he was a baby. Couldn't hurt to give it a try.
I personally would much prefer a decorative water fountain over a white noise machine. You can get some of the tabletop models pretty cheap and there are a wide variety of designs. Wall-hanging types are great for small rooms. This site is pretty good - http://www.kineticfountains.com
The water sound is nice to fall asleep to, and it does a pretty good job blocking out background noise. (I had one in my old apartment when traffic/loud neighbors were an issue).
I use a tiny metal fan—even in winter. I face it towards a wall away from my bed. It's calm sounds are addicting. I'm actually trying to ween myself off, I do live on a quiet street now. But it's sooooo relaxing! Try a fan—cheap and easy. sometimes breezy.
kr, my husband has gotten used to having either a fan or space heater running in the bedroom at night, at all times. I find it kind of annoying since it wastes electricity on perfectly mild evenings when we could just have the window open. He just *has* to have that noise! I prefer the fountain though.
I second kr's comment about a fan. the people in the apartment above me like to watch tv really loud before they go to bed, but the fan drowns out the noise. I like it facing me as I like the room to be cold when I sleep.
Ceiling fans, air conditioners, air filters, or fan heaters work great.
Quality earplugs and a vibrating wristband alarm clock.
It's the ugliest thing but I couldn't sleep without my SleepMate white noise machine. (Manufacturer is Marpac; model is 580A.) I've used it nightly for almost two years and it's still going. Also, it's adjustable so you can find the right pitch that works for you (or your friend). They're readily available online. Cost is $40 to $50 but SO worth it. Good luck.
I got a sound machine when a new neighbor moved in below me and started practicing piano after midnight! I've since moved, but I still use my Homedics Sound Spa.
This makes me laugh - sometimes when I'm working away in my studio in the UK I go to the Times Square Web Cam page and have the streaming live video going in the background just so that I can hear the street noise - it relaxes me and makes me feel like I'm still in NY