Additional recommendations about: Accommodations - 1/3

Recommended accommodations when hyperacusis arise:

1. Ranch homes are quieter than multi-level homes, and masonry homes are quieter than non-masonry homes. If you are building a two - story home, insulate the interior walls, floors, and ceiling round your bedroom if necessary. Use lots of carpeting, and do not put the air conditioner compressor near your bedroom window. Use cast iron drainpipes on a two-story home to significantly reduce the sound of water draining through the pipes. It is important that our living quarters not be near interstate highways or heavily traveled roads. We should not live in the flight pattern of an airport or near railroad tracks that are still in use. Some of us move frequently to find a more sound friendly neighborhood and home/apartment.

2. Consider putting spray attachments to existing water faucets. These can be purchased at most hardware stores.

3. For new home construction it is better to have cast iron drainpipes run through insulated walls. Plastic drainpipes make unnecessary noise especially in a two-story home.

4. The kitchen is the other danger zone in the house. The sound of silverware hitting dishes or hitting the floor is distressing to almost all of us. It helps to use place mats, Chinet paper plates, and plastic eating utensils. Although this is the ideal, practically speaking we know we can't just throw out our dinnerware! Just watch us - we give new meaning to the phrase "eating quietly."

5. This may come as a surprise to you, but some of us are even bothered by the sound of the fan running underneath the refrigerator. Many companies are still working on quiet refrigerators. The quietest refrigerator is a propane refrigerator available through RV (recreation vehicle) dealers. Unfortunately, these refrigerators usually are smaller (10 cubic feet). Some people in the network actually put their refrigerator in their garage. Some buy refrigerators, which are not frost - free. This cuts down on the fan running under the refrigerator. Always check Consumers Reports magazine when buying appliances. Usually they rate the appliance for noise.

6. Another great help is putting heavy felt cushions on all kitchen cabinet doors and drawers so they do not bang when they are closed. Also, try to deactivate the beep on your microwave. One beep would be plenty, but most microwaves beep three and four times.

(to be continued on the next posts)

Texts extracted from The Hyperacusis Network web page (Supplement section), with the permission of its editor. (see “related links” in this blog)