ULPT request: roommate's 24/7 white noise machine that's plugged into wall

Posted by 1000tragedies@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 30 comments

long story, it is this exact one, tl:dr; trying to find out how to at least turn the volume down because i'm about to piss in their milk. or hire an electrician to turn off their power sockets (is that possible???). it plugs into the wall and doesn't require a wifi connection so that's all i can think of

amongst many other things, my roommate is a nuisance because they have a white noise machine on constantly. i wouldn't care, if it weren't for the fact their room is right next to mine, and now i am being forced to also slowly wreck my fucking hearing. the volume must be at 500

now, i have a key to their room. this is a a 2 bedroom house, and i happened to find the spare key. i had been going in their room to turn down the machine, but, i also fucked around and maybe and very possibly got caught somehow? idfk, but now i'm not about to risk it because this living situation is actually the best gig within an hour radius

i'm being driven slightly insane, and all i can think of is pissing in their milk. but that doesn't help me because the white noise machine is still there. and if you're wondering, i did cut the cord on the first sound machine they had, mistakenly thinking it would be a while until they replaced it, until they went ahead and brought out a spare machine

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headsertails@reddit

Absolutely shame on everyone in here offering practical advice. I'd find one of those high pitch noise machines (like a dog whistle) and say It helps you sleep until they give up.

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

i'm thinking about getting one and hiding it in their vent, and leaving it on while they're home all day while i'm at work. then turning it off when i get back

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highnnmighty@reddit

Get one of those plastic ground stakes that vibrate to scare away groundhogs. My neighbor has one and I had to ask what that weird ass noise coming out of the ground was. Would probably be an absolute menace indoors.

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clownstew@reddit

I used to keep my fan on constantly when I lived with these two especially loud roommates. Does your roommate have a specific reason they need a white noise machine turned on so loud? What alternatives have you discussed with them?

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

they said it was for their adhd and they need it to fall asleep. literally the only reason, and they won't listen to the fact that white noise degrades hearing over time.

if i can hear the white noise through earplugs though, that's way too loud, idc if they "can't sleep" or have adhd

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clownstew@reddit

Are headphones/earbuds not an option for him? There are ones that are designed to be more comfortable to wear during sleep.

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

he said it needed to be a machine and not earbuds. but i didn't mention there are white noise earplugs, maybe i could do that

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clownstew@reddit

Good luck! If it doesn't work I support peeing in his milk.

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stabbingrabbit@reddit

Give him headphones he has already ruined his hearing, dont let him ruin yours. ULPT -- Piss on it.

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

thank you!!!

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coloppy@reddit

Talk to them about it, and if they say no, you deal with it like a adult. White noise in another room isn't gonna wreck your hearing. They probably have it on because they dont want to hear your every movement, and dont want tou to hear theirs. If your genuinely are thinking about pissing in their milk, your fuckin crazy, and should not ever be living with other people.

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

thats some gas lighting lol. being subject to a loud ass white noise machine 24/7 is not okay

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stoic_yakker@reddit

Wear some earphones? No one was gaslighting you you just didn’t like what they said.

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Pleasant-Regular6169@reddit

hole up. noisy mcnoisyface bothers people with his noise machine, instead of wearing a headset, and you're telling this guy he should cover his ears to avoid that shit sound?!?

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

that wasn't even your comment, you're buggin lmfaooo

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moresmarterthanyou@reddit

Calmly talk to them about it you bum

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

i have!!

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mordecai98@reddit

Yell at them about it

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Truth_Speaker_001@reddit

OP sounds like a douche.

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men-with_ven@reddit

Kids being loud at a park/alley 4-5 hours a day by their homes "Fuck those kids!" Roommate playing obscenely loud sound 24/7 "Get over it, be an adult" This subreddit is highly regarded.

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uktobar@reddit

Clear nail polish on the plug. Could color a little black in one of the socket holes so it looks like it burnt the socket

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DuckyDoodleDandy@reddit

Get styrofoam (Styrene) insulation boards from a big box store (they can usually deliver) attach them to your wall. You could probably use something like Command strips to hold them, or nano tape.

Create a barrier to block the sound.

Even better, both of you put insulation on your sides of the wall.

If you want to maximize sound blocking, leave an air gap between the wall and the foam board. Use slices of the foam and attach them to the wall. Space them like they are 2x4 studs. Attach the larger foam boards to the “studs”. That creates an air gap, which further reduces sound conduction.

*But they’re ugly!* Ok, paint them. Or cover them in peel & stick wallpaper. (You might want to do that before you hang them.)

When you move, take it all down. Or tell the new person what they are, so they don’t treat the foam like Sheetrock.

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

actually this is an option. thank you for pointing it out. might just have to do this

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gl0ssyy@reddit

have you tried ....talking to them?

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

yes, i have. they have not done anything despite saying they will. they're also the kind that think they are not responsible for taking out their own trash

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mnemonic-glitch@reddit

Talk to them like an adult. ULPTs are good when simpler solutions have failed.

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1000tragedies@reddit (OP)

thats the thing i failed to mention, i have

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