Conversing through background noise

[Vincent]

I'm the same, I go practically deaf in background noise.
I hate pubs with loud music played through the speakers. I don't mind if there is live music, because then it's reasonable to shut up and enjoy the performance, but this piped music, I mean what's the bloody point? And it gets louder and louder as the night goes on.

Come to Dublin, say all the guide books, enjoy the art of conversation in the traditional pubs. Me arse. You have to roar just to order a pint.

You know why they do it of course? They want you to give up trying to talk, just shut up and drink more. Sadly, it works.

And if I ask them to turn down the music, or I suggest we go somewhere quieter, why then I'm the old fogey.

[SavV]

I have problems just in a room full of people, if everyones talking - even quietly - I find it very hard to "tune in" to the person I'm trying to have a conversation with. So much so I have to cut back on sensory input and often end up closing my eyes just so I can focus on that one persons talking. However, I've found many people think I have ceased listening when I do this.... Oh well, I'll just sit there and pretend to be able to understand what they're on about!

Cheers,
SavV

[ellen]

the repetitive annoying music thing makes me itch all over! i can get so irate i feel my heart racing and i get angry! i think alot of people must think i'm incredibly rude, as i figit around like a fool trying desperately to keep up with what's going on!

then i give up and sit quietly listing things and trying to work out where conversations started...

[taffyboy]

i no that feeling

[SkeletaLady]

I know what you mean. I also tend to find it hard to just participate in one conversation if other people are talking in the background. As far as background music, if it has to be there, I'd prefer it be classical. I suspect actually that the loud pub music or the football or whatever has contributed to my becoming much more of a wine drinker despite the fact that I actually do like beer. (especially since coming to England, when I go back to the State, I can't drink the beer there anymore because it just doesn't compare)

[becky1986]

mee too i just tend to switch off with out even realising and then they have to repete them selves again

[dynocast]

Hi, I'm from Lakewood Washington. Background noise has always been real difficult for me too. I aways thought I was the only one with this limitation but I have found others. I hear you about when more than one person is in the room, it's really confusing. When I'm talking to a person in a noisy room it's really hard to understand them. So, it' really hard to to keep the conversation going and i get frustrated and withdrawn. If there is music in the background, it doesn't get any easier. If it's music I like, I find myself rocking out to it. If it's music I dislike it's an irritant. I wish I could just ignore it but it's right in front of my head. One thing I have realized is not too beat myself up over it. I do my best, if I blow up or become disgruntled, i get over it.

[tompete123]

Yes I do. Its horrid. I have to "tune myself " into the conversation. It can be VERY HARD to stay involved in a conversation with one person in a noisey pub NEVER MIND A GROUP. A GROUP conversation is a REALLY CHALLENGE in such an environment. I'll pick up on the odd conversation thread but will opt out in the end as I find it too exausting. I always though this was a deafness issue. Glad I joined this forum and see its not

[Where did I put that?]

Any noise will distract me from conversation. Sometimes it can be normal background noise, like an air conditioning system or something. I have trouble hearing dialogue in a lot of different situations yet I can hear very quiet noises when there isn't much going on in the background.

I used to think that I was a bit deaf but I come out fine in hearing tests.

Does anyone else feel like they can't hear properly if they are wearing sunglasses? If I put sunglasses on I feel all wrong and like I can't hear things as well as usual.

[Catwoman42]

Totally! I hate noisy pubs and I also zone out. If I'm at home and my phone rings I hve to switch off the tv/radio as I can't bear background noise. I also repeat a word I may just have heard. I feel like such an old fart when I have to ask people if the venue we're going to is noisy...

[DaisyDelMonte]

Weirdly, although I experience the same problem of not being able to concentrate on a conversation when there's background music, this has led to me loving going to nightclubs. It's so loud so noone expects you to make conversation (hurrah, i'm not considered stand-offish for once!) and in the crowd, nooone notices my uncoordinated dancing. It's one of the few places i feel like i fit in without having to try

[agsiul]

Me too. Hate going to pubs with lots of noise. Have no idea what people are saying and when I'm on the yard I have to get the children to look at me so that I can figure out what they are saying to me. No clue what they are saying unless I see what they are saying

[Buttercake]

Hello, new here!

Just had to sign up when I saw this. This has to be my worst trait alongside bad timekeeping and organisation. Something that really annoys my family is when we're driving somewhere, they will listen to radio 5 live or something else with just general chatter on in the background. Then they will start trying to talk to me and have a conversation (usually something important, typical!) and I can't follow what they're saying to save my life. I tell them I can't concentrate with the other voices speaking and they just scoff and say I'm not paying attention. Very annoying! Even if others aren't talking to me, I can't have spoken word on in the car or if I'm trying to work. It makes me feel motion sick as if my brain is trying really hard to process information I'm not paying any attention to.

That gets very annoying when I feel sick in the car and they want to listen to the cricket!

It's reassuring to know it's not just me. Thanks guys

[agsiul]

Any game that goes on for over a day would make anyone queezy

[abby]

"if the music's too loud, you're too old"

i must have been born old then.

seriously, sencory processing and interration problems are common amoung neuro-diverse people. i wear earplugs or headphones in many situations, even in class at college and at sja training meetings.