Noisy work place....?

[Demon_Hunter]

Anybody work some place that's just obscenely noisy? To the point where if you don't wear earplugs or something you'll go nuts.
I've been working at this place and it's so freaking loud. Even with earplugs it's annoying(thinking I need a higher db rating).
It's funny too because nobody else that works there seems bothered by it...it's like they've gotten used to it..or just deafened by it.

I've already got bad tinnitus and I do not want it to get worse.

Any recommendations of what you use?

[L-A]

Good headphones. People usually understand when you tell them the noise is bothering you and you need to concentrate.

You don't have to listen to music all the time, go there when needed: http://www.simplynoise.com/

The red/brown noise is especially good for concentration, in my experience.

[Simo98]

This one is good too:

http://www.rainymood.com/

[elgecko]

I sometimes work with hollow-stem auger and direct-push drilling rigs to collect soil samples. The combination of the open diesel engine and the constant mechanical hammering is something else. Hearing protection isn't just a good idea, it's an OSHA mandate.

Years ago I worked in a kitchen. Those can get pretty noisy with the industrial strength exhaust fans, deep frying, dishwashing etc.

[neurotictim]

When I was active duty and worked on an aircraft carrier's flight deck/shore based flight line, we were required to wear doubled hearing protection - plugs + mickey mouse ears (ear muffs) - and it was so loud you couldn't hear yourself think.

Part of my job now involves working in a shop with F/A-18 GCUs - generators that create the electrical power for the aircraft.

Ridiculously loud, and it's mandated to wear hearing protection.

:shrug:

So I wear it.

[tplyons]

iPod for me playing either jazz or white noise when I need to concentrate.

[Skitch it!]

I used to work for a steelworks for three years, it was incredibly loud constantly, ear protection was mandatory but I used to double up with foam ear plugs and ear muff type too as a poster above has suggested, very quiet but you have to use your eyes more to be aware spatially.

[Let It Fall]

omg I hate working in operating plants. Its 100% earprotection. I already have bad hearing I found it creates high stress in me and I get sick of saying what about 6 times before the other person gives up.

[MadMan118]

I used to work on an airport tarmac, its so loud if you don't wear hearing protection you'll go deaf. We wore plugs and muffs together and it was still loud.

[Deluge Of Sound]

I worked one job where I was surrounded by shattering glass for ten-hour shifts.

Earplugs inside headphones, and I'd still come home with headaches.

[Stanley Design]

Worked in aerospace machining for 4 years, ear protection was mandatory but was impossible to wear it so nobody did. Needed to hear subtle changes in the machining process since the CNC machines and tooling were basically scrap piles and we were working to tight tolerances.

[Mike N]

I work in an auto repair shop. The sound of the air tools can be unreal at times. I just deal with it.

[BullHorn]

I used to use earplugs almost anywhere I went untill a cheap earplug damaged my eardrum. But yes, a good quality earplug is a must for any noisy situation.

[Mooch]

I got one for you. i work at a major fireplace manufacturer in MN. I cut the sheetmetal for all our units. So, I run to gigantic punch machines with turrets full of punch tools. All say long for 10 hrs I listen to Thump Thump Thump contantly. Then I run a 3 story high Co2 laser and it has a torrit(air cleaner) thats is loud as hell and when it unloads it has a klaxon that goes beep beep beep very fast and very loud. I have to wear earplugs or i would be deaf. But I really don't notice it anymore because I have been doing it for 5 years now.

I would love a desk job in the AC but that would probably drive me nuts because of the quiet and slow pace.