How to Block Out Noise Made by a Roommate When Trying to Sleep

Living with roommates is fun until you can't sleep.

Living with roommates may have its good points, such as splitting the bills and having plenty of company. However, sharing your space also has its pitfalls, especially if you like peace and quiet. When two roommates are on different sleep schedules, one often keeps the other awake. Fortunately, there are more sophisticated remedies than suffering through the night with a pillow over your head.

Things You'll Need

• Earplugs
• White-noise machine, CD or app
• Fabric
• Cushions
• Fan or air conditioner
• Noise-canceling headphones

Instructions

1. Invest in a pair of earplugs. A trip to the pharmacy yields plenty of options, from simple foam plugs to more sophisticated silicone models. Experiment to find the one that feels most comfortable while blocking the most noise.

2. Fill the room with white noise. Try a white noise CD before investing in a pricey noise machine. If you have an iPod or iPhone, download a white-noise app.

3. Drape your room with fabric and decorate with cushions, both of which muffle outside noise.

   Line the wall between your room and your roommate's room with heavy fabric curtains suspended from ceiling rods.

4. Turn on a fan or air conditioner.

5. Buy a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

References

• Freelance Switch; The Campus Roommate's Guide; Amber Leigh Turner
• Noise Help: Ideas and Products for Reducing Noise
• iTunes Preview: White Noise

Resources

• Binghamton University Residence Life: What to Bring